The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-21
Listen, World
Are You Your ChiId's Best Friend
OrMeanest Eremy2
r Meanest Eremy2.
RU Elsie Robinson

HELL1ONSR ...
Maybe you're wondering There are your Junior and
Sister, Such darling babies they Simply Adorable
So cunning and good Never the least bit naughty But
ately-heaven knows why!-theyve changed completely.
Became Perfect Fly off the handle at the least little
thing dsobey think that understands them, suk 1or
hours One scene after anothers driving you CRAA-Il
And after all you've done shaved and sacrificed
this is the thanks you get!
Yes, Comrade Parent, this is the thanks you get
And nine times out of Tents exactly what you deserved
All right all right get mad you want! But
I'm telling you the truth As cradetenders we parent"
usually rate all the blue ribbons. But when Snookyukums
outgrows his and develops into pmpy peevSh
adolescen all to frequently become petty tyrants-
stupid conceited, incredibly cruel.
We proudly boast and honestly believe that "a parent Is
his chd's best friend" But the plain truth is that most
of remain friendly to children only as long as 1t
suits convenience fatters egom and doesn't tax
our intelligence As the association calls for real
understanding and self-contro, we blow up.
The late great psychologist W. Beran Wolfe once said
mo adolescen child is very pleasant companion, and
often he so disagreeabe and stubborn that 1t almost
impossible to live with him
With which statement thousands of parents will enhus
astcaly agree But they should further and ask WHY
the adolescent child is not pleasant companion IL ID
because he facing the most critical period OF ms lie
the racking travail of his second birth into maturity
Yesterday he irresponsible baby. Today ne 1s
stranger even himself Sensitive, suspicious and pfuy
bewidered, he blunders about seeking his real seH
through torurng embarrassmen and terrifying adventures
No wonder he's "hard to live with
But Just where does all this put the average parent
the quickempered father who accustomed to having his
own way the selfindulgent sentimental mother who
inclined to dodge responsibility?
IT PUTS THEM ON THE SPOT!
It was easy to appear successful father long
could achieve obedience with cuff the beloved
command 1t fun to be mother as one could play
dollbaby =. buy ones way with kisses and candy
parenhood becomes real job Cuffs and KISSES
no longer serve. Respect and loyalty longer be
BOUGHT. They must be won! s.smt.--
And how many parents have what it takes after years OF
unquestoned dominance?
How many parents humble enough to stand back for
get themselves-watch wait and learn? How many are
brave enough to see themselves their child them
in his sudden ruthless awakening to reayf How many
doting partcuaryare generous enough to allow
the child make those decisions and experiments which
are indispensable to character building!
NOT MANY!
Instead, most of 60 into prolonged tanrum OF re-
sentiment and sepy Frantcay try to retain the old
babv relationship rather than face the chaengeand
take it out the youngsters when we fall -
THEN WE WONDER WHY THE CHILD REGARDS w
AS HIS WORST ENEMY RATHER THAN HIS BEST
FRIEND!
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presenting personal problems mag also be sent A1 ettere
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