The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1935-07-15
re- YOUR
CHILD
= y on Roberts Bertoa 9
DISoBEDIENCE AND ILLNESS
MAY ONLY BE CHILD'S WAY
OF DEMANDING AFFECTION

1
The screaming in the back yard
sounded as though someone were
being slowly dismembered. Mother
ran and Daddy shot around to the
shambies. Neighbors stood up and
shuddered. Two boys playing
catch down the street did not even
stop to get the ball. In one minute
and a half the yard was full Of
people wanting to know what was
wrong.
Tommy galloping around on q
clothes-line pole. stopped and
stared rather satisfied stare.
"Oh, darling, are you all right p
sobbed his mother, clasping him In
her arms. I'VE thought something
had hurt you. You mustn't scream
so loud-it frightens us So"
Next time you do that, young
fellow, I'll just dust your pants
said his father shakily trying to
keep the nervous falsetto out OF
his voice. The neighbors dispers-
ed. The boys went back to their
game.
The next evening Tommy lay
around on the porch and wouldn't
play. He looked Ill. His eyes
dropped and, ha sucked his thumb
He only did that when he wasn't
feeling right. When the ice-cream
man came along and his father
whistled, Tommy said, "Hnk-uh
I don't want any ice-cream."
Hunting Symptoms.
Erred, I'm afraid he's sick
Come here, dear, and let me fee
your head. WELT isn't SO very
hot. I don't think you've any
fever. Come" she tapped her lap
But Tommy eyed his daddy and
moved away. He was acting very
strangely tonight. His father said
"For Pete's sake, Tom. Either b.
sick or don't. You're acting like
a moon calf. There's Dickie call
ing you. Run on and play" Blu
Tommy wouldn't move.
The next day was Sunday. After
Sunday school the family was tt
go to Grandma's for dinner and
Tommy's mother told him to keeI
| himself clean as he had no more
fresh suits. Out to the garage HI
went and came in covered will
grease. His father heard the rue
Gus in the kitchen and went out
Then judgment descended or
Tommy's seat and he was strip.
ped and sent to bed.
| Mrs. Peach was telephoned for
to come and get him some luncl
and oversee his safety and hi
parents drove away without him.
He did not cry much. Not al
much as was to be expected. Thi
was strange. but they put it dow
to guilt and q feeling that he hat
got what he deserved. When the!
returned he was allowed to ge
up. He was very quiet but KEEP
cycling his father. BY this TIM
pater familias was contrite ant
| forgiving. He kissed his son an(
rocked him in his arms a minute
and said that he was sorry, bu
that when a little boy was bad h
had to be punished. Tommy put hi
arms around his fathers neck ant
held on with a strangle hold al
though he never meant to let go.
Truth OF the situation.
Next day and for many day
and evenings he was splendid. Hi
mother and father nodded wisel,
and said to each other, "It wa.
just what he needed" But they
did not know and never woult
know the truth.
Tommy had a program. He die
not know 1t himself, consciously
that is, but 1t was there in hi.
deep mind. He had had few deer
mind. He had had few words Of
affection from his father-ever
The man wanted his boy to be 9
man, not sissy, as he put 1t, and
his method was to call him "Olt
fellow" teach him to spar with hi
fists, and explain fish-hooks.
| Tommy hungered for more per
sonal attention. And strange a!
it may seem, child making bic
for more attention, will resort t.
misbehavior, illness Of a sort, o.
very often, disobedience. A mint
calling for attention. in small
children especially, will court un
pleasant favor If he cannot hav,
the other. But it must be emotion
al attention.
Tommy got what he swas after
and better. He was satisfied. Blu
it will be repeated soon unless hi
daddy Is a bit more affectionat
and let's the boy see how much h
matters.
Copyright, 1895, NEA Service, Inc