Milford chronicle., 1939-09-15
GRANDPARENTS FAVORITE
JANETTE STEVENSON MURRAY

JANETTB STEVENSON MURRAY
My boys fight SO much. What
do you think causes it?" inquired
Mrs. Watson of her guest, an older
woman she had invited in for tea.
They are five and seven, you know
old enough to know better"
why, all boys scuffle and tease
each other. They are just like pup
pies"
Yes, but our boys seem to do an
extra amount of it. The other NOR
ming they began before breakfast
and kept it up until finally punished
both before l sent them off to their
summer school classes. AS a result
we were all in a bad humor, and |
thought what a poor way it was to
begin the day"
Just then Tommy appeared; his
brown eyes sparkling with interest
| and enthusiasm, he was soon telling
them about the store they were build
/ ing in Kindergarten. Then he brou-
ght his drum and showed their guests
how he could keep time. He fingered
after that still eager to talk.
A little later Robert the seven-year
old, came in. He dutifully shook
hands but seemed bashful and wan
dered to the far end of the room at
the firs opportunity He was soon
taken up with his own interest. When
urged, he played several pieces on the
piano and answered all questions
readily but with over emphasis. Evi-
IDENTIFY, his mother was making an
effort to draw him out so that he
would have a share in the visit.
When both boys had gone out to
play. Mrs. Watson discussed Tommy's
sociability and desire to occupy the
center Of the stage.
From what l have observed, Tom
my is a true extrovert," her guests
remarked.
"Oh, yes, l remember learning
about that" said Mrs. Watson. Il sup
pose then that Robert is just the op-
posite type, an introvert. 1t is hard to
keep him from feeling out of things
and sighted. My father, who lives
with us. openly pets T m m y,
! declaring his pride and confidence in
him upon every occasion. He does
not notice Robert so much"
But doesn't Robert resent this?"
Why, / don't know. l have trled
so hard myself to be fair to both of
them that haven't thought of Grand
pas favoritism making any differ
ence."
II am quite sure that you are fair.
still, your fathers attitude may cause
some of this constant teasing and
scuffling. Every boy covets his
grandfather's favor; not getting his
share might make Robert jealous so
that he would want to take it out on
Tommy by constantly picking on
him. II might also make Robert feel
inferior and cause him to become
interpretive"
Yes, turn his mind in on himself
and his grandfather's neglect. I'll
speak to grandpa about this partial
ity and ask him to favor Robert for
a while; we'll see If it makes any
difference"
Several weeks after this. Mrs. Wat
son met her friend at party. you
diagnosed my difficulty correctly"
said the former. you know father is
one of the kindliest of men and when
l point out the results of his favorit-
ism. he blamed himself severely for
his shortsightedness. He has used
great tact in shifting the emphasis OF
his favor, and now Robt. fairly basks |
in his grandfather's approval. and
the boy is so happy and serene. Real
ly, the children take more interest in
each other. and their scuffling is
more playful. can see. too. that
Robert is less secretive and is de-
veloping more confidence in himself"