Evening star., 1937-01-06
Child.
Lesson in
Shopping
Opportunity to Teach
Control and
Discipline.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

THERE are children whose mothers
= dread to take them near a store
because, once inside 1t, they refuse to
leave until they are given whatever
their fancy chooses. Any attempt to
get them to move along. to forget
about buying the thing they do not
need and ought not to have, ends in
q scene that embarrasses everybody
within earshot. In order to escape
the frantic mother will buy the thing
and hand 1t to him, with, Next time
you stay home"
But he cannot be left home next
time. perhaps. There may be nobody
there to take care Of him, and any
way, leaving him home will not teach
him how to behave in the store. He
has to 70 there and he has to learn
to look at things, like them and leave
them where they are. 1t is best to be-
gin with that lesson at home by teach
ing him to look at things as they
stand on the tables and shelves and
leave them alone. To see things with
out longing to possess them is hard
lesson for most little children, but
they have to learn it If they are ever
to grow up.
The child's first experience with
the stores should be from the out
side, window shopping. Take him to
see a window that is not so full that
It blurs instead of showing. Talk
about the things he sees there, and
make not the slightest suggestion of
ownership. Should he imply that he
would like to have that red ball or the
blue wagon, be interested and say, 1T
would be very nice. However, your
wagon is very nice and your ball is
beauty. It's good you have them. See
that nice dog the lady over there has.
Looks like your JEFF, doesn't he? We'd
best be going home now. Well 60
slowly and see what Is In the Pet Shop
window today"
Save the buying occasion for a
treat. Maybe a trip to the five-and-
ten on a birthday. Decide with the
child what it is he wants to buy. A
few days before buying it take him
to look at what the other shops have,
price them. and even speak of their
quality. Then decide that the best
place to 60 is where he likes to 60
most, the five-and-ten or the Toy
Shop
Once in the shop go directly to the
counter where the balls are, or the
books. whichever he wants. Tell the
clerk what is wanted, ask to be shown
a selection Of three. from which the
child Is to make his choice. This
choice is important in the training.
One article selected by the clerk or
the adult in charge. will not serve.
Two are likely to offer little feeling of
choice. Three will be about right.
More will only lead to confusion Once
the choice is made. let the child pay
for it out Of his pocket. take the pack
age. say Thank you" and go your
way. Don't stay in the shop to look
around. Leave when the purchase is
made.
Don't make q practice Of buying
things for the child you take to the
store. That is what teaches him to
expect you to buy whatever he thinks
he wants. Buy him something only
after planning with him, and see that
It is something he can enjoy and use.
Should he ask for something he sees,
shake your head. say nothing, and get
away from there as quickly as pos
sible. Don't say anything about it
later unless he insists. Then you
will have to tell him that he never
gets things he asks for in the store,
and that it is bad manners to expect
It. Then stick to 1t.
(Copyright. 1877