Evening star., 1936-11-16
)penng Brings It's Own Problems the Houekeeper
Partnership
In Family
Best Policy
Explain to Children
Troubles of the
Household.
BY ANGELO PATRI.


DoN'T cry. Mollie. Tell me what is
the matter. What has hap
pened?"
IT can't help it, Aunt Helen. I don't
know what has gotten into mother
lately. She never was like this. ] just
can't stand it."
What happened?"
Nothing. That's Just it. I came in
from school as usual. 1 laid my books
on the table while 1 went upstairs to
change my clothes. 1 took my hat and
coat along with me. left the books
on the table because I would need
them again soon. l work downstairs
at the living room table. l never leave
my things around.
When l came down again mother
was in a rage. She had thrown my
books out OF the window. Imagine,
They landed in the wet under the
bushes. Before I could speak she
turned on me and said everything she
could think of until she ran out of
breath. Then I went out, picked up
my books, got my things and came
over here.
Its like that all the time now.
Sometimes she is as nice as ever, but
most of the time 1 never know whether
she is going to throw something at me
or kiss me- try not to do anything
to bother her, but have to have
little fun. She tells me to ask the girls
in, but I can't when she is like this"
'I see. Your mother is not we'll.
That is why she is so irritable. She
cannot help it sometimes because she
feels so miserable You know she has
taken care of the family now for about
25 years. That is long spell. Her
nights have been broken often. She
has had to be nurse and cook and
mother and everything to all Of you.
She is very tired.
Another thing. She is getting close
to so years old, and at that time all
women have trouble with their health.
They have an upset that strains their
bodies and minds. You can't feel at
peace when your whole body aches and
throbs and squirms. That is why your
mother is irritable at times. 1t will
pass and she will be as kind as ever.
Just now she needs lot Of loving, a lot
Of help. When you go home stop in at
the florists and take her bunch Of
pansies. She likes them better than
any other flower. Then look about for
whatever there is to be done and do it
so as to lift some of the load from her
shoulders She will feel better just to
know that you want to help her. Some
mothers are so sick at this time that
they have to go to bed or to the hos
pital. We're thankful that your mother
is getting on as we'll as she is. What
would we do child. if We lost herr"
IT didn't know. Why didn't father
tell me? Or mother? I'd have tried
harder Now I'll work my head of to
help her. There's lots I can do. I can
get up in the morning and get her
breakfast instead of letting her get
mine. There's plenty I can do and I'm
glad to do it. just thought she was
tired of me and didn't want me around
any more"
1t is best to tell the children about
such things. No good comes Of bear.
ing the entire Durden OF any lamlly
difficulty. but a whole lot of good
comes of letting the children share
whatever comes. They like it. What
they don't like and can't stand is being
shut out and left to worry and suffer
/ in the dark If mother is sick. say so.
/ If money is short. tell them. Make the
family a partnership and it will stand
up better.
] Mr.. Patri has prepared leaflet en-
, titled THE Shy Child" in which he
tells parents how to help children
overcome shyness and fear. Send for
it, addressing your request to Mr.. An
gelo Patri. Child Psychology Depart
ment of this paper. Inclose self
addressed, stamped (3-cenD envelope.