Milford chronicle., 1939-10-06
THE FUSSY CHILD
Laura Gray

There must be something wrong
with my john" declared Mrs. Ben
son to her neighbor as the two sat
/ knitting while they watched their lit
tie ones padding. Hes so cross, so
/ irritable. I'm just about worn out.
And he's much worse here at the
beach than at home"
I'm what way?" asked the older
woman.
He won't eat his meals without
being coaxed. whines for what he
can't have and is so nervous he does
not even sleep we'll. used>to think
all children were more or less like
that, but since I've seen your sweet.
happy little Bobby I've begun to won
der"
Every mother likes to hear her
child called sweet and happy Bob
by's mother smiled appreciatively.
What do you do to make him so
good -natured: Look at him now"
They turned toward a group OF
small children playing a few yards
off. Five-yeaT-old Bobby chuckled as
his chubby hands piled sand on a
companion lying face down. waiting
to be buried" Then Bobby stood
up. his two sturdy legs firm. his
chest extended and his back straight.
He faced the sea and laughed. full of
the joy of living.
Mrs. Benson went on. I've lived
for two weeks in the next camp. I've
never seen Bobby have tantrum nor
have even heard him cry. Gracious.
look at my John, He's taken that
little girls pail and is striking her
with the spade." Mrs. Benson drop
ped her knitting and ran.
After a little shake and many rem
Onstrances young John was jerked
along to the camp and told to go in
and tell Katie how naughty he'd
been"
The mother came back. looking
weary and exhausted and began to
work. No one spoke.
In few minutes. young John came
out again and sat and sulked. He
was too thin. too tall. and his joints
seemed too large for his slender
limbs. There was a disagreeable ex-
preston on his face that was un-
childlike.
Il wonder II John has inherited an
unpleasant disposition from some an
cestor." remarked his mother. when
John had moved out OF hearing. She
was feeling very unhappy.
mo-" laughed the older woman.
my dear Mrs. Benson. there is moth
ing radically wrong with Johns dis
position, feel sure. Give him a
fair chance and he'll be as sweet as
Bobby"
why is he so trying then. so un-
friendly. while Bobby looks upon
everyone as a friend?"
well. | find that Bobby can be
disagreeable. too. when overtired or
upset"
"O-yes You make him rest part
of the day. don't you? And you are
particular about his meals. and you
don't allow him to be exposed to the
sun for too long a time. You don't /
let him bathe more than twice a day. .
either. You see your Sarah and my /
Katie are great friends"
Bobby's mother nodded and smiled. !
You were accused by one mother
of my acquaintance of being too /
'finical' about your boy" Mrs. Ben
son went on. But Wnen | saw what .
a charming little fellow he was l
thought Id like to know the real Sc
cret of it. Thank you and Katie-for
telling me!"
II is not natural for a little child
to be fussy. nervous or troublesome.
Evan disagreeable ancestors will not
account for such a state of mind.
Chief among the causes is being over
tired. 1t is hard to realize what a
lot of energy little one uses up each
hour.
Unsuitable food. uncomfortable
the effort to adjust to an
adult program. all help to spoil
little one. In all seasons. a young
child needs quiet. regular hours and
care. as well as suit
able companionship. fresh air and
sunshine. 1t is all very simple and
yet it exacts much from the mother.
But surely having happy. friendly.
normal child is reward enough.