Evening star., 1937-03-16
S Streng G t h
Admired bv
Chill ldre n
They Rely on Their
Parents for Their
Own Power.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

CHILDREN neeo to feel that their
fathers and mothers are giants
Of accomplishment. MY father can
drive q car better'n anybody in this
whole town" my mother is the
prettiest in our church. And she can
sing best, too" These are the boasts
of proud children who feel strength
IN their parents. That feeling makes
them stronger, gives them courage
and q feeling of power. They must
have that feeling Of reliance upon
their people II they are to thrive and
function as healthy children ought
to do.
That is why we should not let
children know when we are worried.
That is why we never let them hear
us complain, see us cry, or hear us
say: Il just can't go on" We must
60 on, and we must look SIS though
we were succeeding at it, because our
children have to feel our power
behind them. They are relying upon
u.s.
1t is great mistake to say to 3
child, Il don't know what to do with
you" Or, before him, Il can't do
thing with that child" This is con-
trary to what child feels his parents
should be. He wants to think that
they always know what to do and are
able to do it. Oftener than not they
are pretty well advised as to what
to do. and quite able to do it. But
the children consider what one says
as important, so it is better to say
nothing and look much when there
Is q hard problem waiting solution.
Never ask for pity from a child.
That way failure lies, for he de-
spises anyone he has to pity, es-
pecially if he Is grown person
He is foolish" Is his decision, and
lacking other words for his feelings,
let's it go at that. Never say, "You
will bring my gray hairs to the grave
II you 60 on like this" You are
making nervous wreck of me-
MY heart is broken to think I have
child who would do such things"
These speeches only serve to drive
the child further away. Weakness IN
grown up people is something chill
dren hate to see. They always tunl
from it in disgust touched with fear.
The strong tower upon which they
were leaning has fallen and betrayed
their faith.
Children admire strength. They
like to look at the big policeman Just
because he is so big and so strong.
They like to look at the elephant for
the same reason. They like to see the
pictures that show strong men doing
impossible feats They like to picture
themselves as bold and daring and
all-powerful. They have no feeling
OF pity for the oppressed until they
have first rejoiced with the op-
pressor. They learn to pity and
sympathize only after experience,
backed up by teaching at home and
in school has brought that feeling
to their minds. They admire strength
| and power even when they are the
victims. Have you ever wondered at
the string of little boys following the
bully Of the neighborhood?
Be strong for the sake of the little
ones who are drawing strength from
your strength. Be strong for the fall
tering adolescent. Show him that
when material things appear to go
against him, when he appears to I've
failing, he still has the infinite power
OF the spirit, the same spirit that
sustains you in time Of need, to fall
back upon. "Be strong in the Lord IS
the strength that you cultivate In the
adolescent child.
There are times when the stoutest
heart quivers. But will quivering help?
Call on whatever strength you know,
and for the children's sake anI for
your own, be strong.