The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-22
EK YOUR CHILDREN 'zzzsz1ssz
 B. Came Roberts Bssto~
$HaS Nazz s1aNez "a

DEAR MRS. BARTON: What
 shall do about my little girl? She doesn't seem to take an in. terest in anything any more. She
 is we'll, the doctor says, and smart
 enough too; but we cannot rouse her into any real effort. She acts
 as though she didn't like anything
 or anybody.
 All she cares for are books and
 movies. She is too young to be | just living for that. l think they I have spoiled her for everything
 else. I don't think it is our fault
 because her older sister is just
 the other way, hSe is in every-
 thing, makes hosts of friends, is
 always planning something to do. She is the life of the house. I never saw such a difference in two chil. dren. Can you suggest what the trouble is or if I can do anything about 1t? DEAR LADY: The books and movies themselves are not respon- sible for the child's behavior, l am sure. Her interest in them is re-
 suit of something else, as, is her
 lazy behavior. They happen to be a relief because in reading about
 or looking at people in stories, we become more magnificine in our own eyes. We take on the halo of the hero or the heroine and self-respect oozes back into our
 starved hearts like rain into dry
 soil. .-tf Look nearer to home for the truth--the other daughter who Is
 so smart and energetic and capa- ble. And I guess rather more
 beautiful, although you do not say no. Not that she in unkind to her
 sister. She may even. be loving and sweet-and patronizing.
 Good Example Is Bad
 But there is that everlasting perfection of little, Goody-Two- Shoes for the other to hear and breathe and see and feel that Is the most ,discouraging and devas- tating thing in the world to the
 best of us. Example is all right in the right place and in the right
 setting, but to know that there is
 always a sure winner in the race
 makes the habitual loser still
 worse loser. i,:- 5 There. is an old saying that nothing succeeds like success, and it is as true as it ever was. It is
 also true that the hundred-per-
 center, especially if he is our own
 brother or sister, instead of acting
 as an incentive, often has exactly
 the opposite influence. t U.h . f
 Il Praising her. May Help
 Once a child gets. the idea that his personality can never match that other, that he is perpetually
 oyershadowed by. the peculiar
 magnetic < quality he can never
 hope to achieve Cor so hert thinks) , incentive is lost, laziness and in-
 ertia takes its place, and we find the poor little also hunting peace and comfort wherever they
 can be found.
 Why don't you try boosting her stock to herself as well as to oth- CTS? No exaggeration will do be-
 cause she will be hard to convince
 and will quickly detect insincerity. Get Cinderella the new clothes llrSI neXC{ tlIlle. Leli HST AOW PLOt ty she is Get the cousins and the aunts to fuss over her and praise
 her and tell her how smart she is.
 Pick her out for favors for awhile and let her sister feel the aloes of
 a little criticism and disinterest
 for awhile, , ::
 I imagine 1t won't hurt her, and the effect on her sister may he
 worth 1t. She will see that others
 come in once in awhile for what
 has been her lot.
 Try and get your duckling some friends of her own, not satellites of. the older girl who are bound
 to make her feel inferior. .. After awhile things may shape
 up, so that no maneuvering on
 your part will be necessary. Let criticism rest for time. This unhappy little girl, for she must be unhappy. may surprise you.9 l Copyright 1885. NEA Service Inc)