Evening star., 1937-09-01
Have Firm
Hands With
The Baby
Feeling of Assurance
Important When
Handling Him.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

THE baby's nose, eyes, mouth ana
ears have to be thoroughly cleansed
every morning. His body must be
soaped, rinsed and patted dry. Then
he must be powdered and dressed, his
hair brushed and his jacket tied. All
the time these services are rendered
he kicks and yells. Let him. Don't
allow his protests to worry you. Pro-
ceed with firm hands to do for him
what is necessary down to the last
button.
Talk cheerfully to him from time
to time, between yels. Let him feel
that you are not going to harm him,
that he is safe with you. even though
you are going right on with the job.
If your hands are firm and steady, II
he doesn't slip out Of your grasp, If
your wash rag gets to the right place
without wiping its cold tail in I'M
expected spots, he will learn to accept
his fate with resignation. The step
from resignation to enjoyment is soon
taken Meantime he has learned 4
very valuable lesson. Your hand is
steady and your intention sure.
This sets the stage for willing obedi-
ence all along the line. He learns
from day to day that you can be
trusted to do what you wish to do with
him. That your ministrations are
comforting after they cease. And he
waste of breath. Later when you
speak firmly and certainly about what
he is to do, he is. through this expert
ence, ready to accept your word.
AS children develop and their COM
plex personalities begin to display
themselves in moods, likes, dblikes,
tastes and tendencies, the early ex-
periences with mothers firm hands
are great source Of strength to both.
The stage Is set for obedience, for
patient hearing, for affectionate trust
No child who is normal in mind
and body Is always ready to 60 along
with his mother and teachers. The
time comes when he feels himself
adequate to the situation without any
help, without guidance, and he goes
his way. He may succeed, he may
come to grief, but, II his early ex-
periences with his mother have taught
him that she can be trusted, that her
hands are steady and her purpose sure,
he will not go far out of the way
before coming back for assurance.
Childhood's faith Is very strong.
When a mother Is not certain about
what to do, when she wobbles between
doing and not doing. between yes and
no, the trouble begins. Just as the
baby learns to respect and accept the
firm sure hand and to defy and throw
OF the unsure one, 50 does the child
accept or deny the guidance of his
mother. If she Is sure, II her mind is
clear on the idea, the child soon
recognizes the finality of her decision.
He may bemoan his hard fate for 4
few minutes, but very soon, the back
ground Of faith ASSERTS itself and he
is ready to be diverted
AS the child leaves childhood behind
him and enters on youth, this faith
goes along with him. He will, having
been well trained in his duty, be
inclined to 60 more to the right than
otherwise, but always he will feel the
arm spirit Of his mother supporting
him and, leaning on that, 60 forward
stronger and surer day by day. A
good beginning carries its own ending.
Mr.. Patri will give personal attention
to inquiries from parents and school
teachers on the care and development
Of children. Write him in care Of this
paper. inclosing Scent stamped
self-addressed envelope for reply.
(Copyright, 1877