Evening star., 1937-04-02
Rough Play
Should Be
Directed
Boisterous Games
Must Be Allowed
Occasionally.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

EATHER is big and jolly, and after
a day in the Office he feels like
having some exercise and some fun
into the bargain. After dinner ana
before bedtime he plays games with
the children. He plays tiger in the
den. He is the tiger and his den Is
under the table. The children, armed
with long spears of tightly rolled news
paper, charge at him. He roars,
charges in turn, the children run ana
yell wildly and return to the charge.
Another good game is fort. The
fort is made of the dining-room chairs,
some from the living room, too. Ihe
tablecloths are good for flags and the
sofa cushions and pillows are am
munition. There is a shout, pillows
hurtle through the air. Loud laugh
ter protests, charges anew and anew
until the besieged is worn out ana
surrenders. 1t is great fun. Father
enjoys it as much as the chlldren.
Only mother disapproves.
They will lie awake now for a cou-
pie of hours. They are so excited they
cannot sleep. Then have to let them
sleep over their rising time IN the
morning and their whole day is out
of ioint. Can't you play some quieter
games?" -
They're having good time. 1t
does them good"
You're wearing the furniture out.
The place looks a sight. You can't
expect to throw pillows about the
house and then use them as cushions
for people to sit on
why not? I sit on them. You sit
on them. The others can do the
same or do without. I pay for the
cushions and the furniture. I can
use them as like My children are
going to play with their father and
I'm going to enjoy my children. I
hadn't much fun when l was their
age. My father never looked at me.
Mine are not going to have that to
say"
But George, can't you play some
other games with them? I know they
love to play with you and 1 love TO
have them. But can't you see 1t
breaks their routine, spoils the furni-
ture-'
Now Mary don't tell me that all
over again. I'm going to have some
fun with the kids and let them have
some fun with me. I'll buy new fur
niture when it is needed.
Mother tries to suppress the tears
that have risen and say no more about
1t. How is she to manage to rear the
children in good shape, teach them
to care for the things about them, to
be good hammered in the house and
all the rest?
Maybe father will compromise
Maybe he can be persuaded to play
game less active, more suitable for
the time and the place. If not, then
the only thing to do is to wait in pa
tience for this play phase to wear
itself out, as it certainly will. Then
the stage can be set for other games
with father. His affection for the
children, his interest in them, is too
precious to be risked for anything
short of carnage.
Try teaching the children table
games; keep offering them until you
strike one they like lot They will
beg father to play it with them. Grad
ually the roughhouse will be subdued.
And you know a little of it does lot
of good. Now and then let the rafters
ring, preferably in the attic or the
cellar, where there are rafters to ring.
Mr. Patri has prepared leafet en-
titled, "A Book List" giving the
titles of a wide variety of books all
children should read. Send for it, ad-
dressing your request to Mr.. Angelo
Patri, Child Psychology Department
Of this paper. Inclose a self addressed,
stamped (3-cent) envelope.
Copyright. 1879