Milford chronicle., 1939-05-26
CHILDREN NEED HELP
By Georgia Lott Setter

"Oh, why need children be quite
so needless and disobedient?" sigh
ed Mary Lance wearily.
Il wonder if they really are," ans
wered her neighbor, Mrs. Jaynes,
comfortably. "They behave as they
I do because they are children. They
usually act on impulse, without any
thought either of being obedient or
disobedient. You must expect such
conduct until they begin to acquire
the knowledge that experience
brings.
Il am convinced that children
need real help in remembering much
more frequently than they need pun
ishment. This belief is based partly
on my own never-to- o-be-forgotten
childish experience with a detested
red apron. My aunt, with whom I
lived, made me big red apron from
one OF her old house dresses. and
said: Lucy. you are to put this apron
on over your school dress each NOR
ming until your work is done had
no objection to that. but several
times each week I rushed heedlessly
away to school. Haunting the aprons
faded ugliress for all to see. My aunt
always sent a message by an older
girl who was our neighbor. remind
ing me to remove the apron. And no
feproof was ever considered COM
plete until these episodes Of the red
apron were held UP to me as evil
denCe of my disobedience!
1--WE never forgotten the unhappi-
ness and embarrassment they incur
red. Yet how easily my aunt might
have prevented them. She could nave
said Always come to me before you
start to school and to be sure you
look nice Or. Always kiss me good
bye. Lucy My love-hungry little
heart would never have allowed me
to forget to do that. you may be
sure! And there would have been no
hurting apron episode"
But Henry's case is different"
said Mrs. Lance. He is boy and
should learn to take responsibility.
Yet he never remembers his chores
or his errands."
He just needs the help of little
reminder" insisted Mrs. Jaynes.
Suppose you mention 1t casually be-
fore his father each time he does
his work we'll and without being re-
minded? Even we older folks find
that appreciation lightens labor.
Thy to make work pleasant. New
er use it as a punishment.
Let work lead naturally to suit
able rewards. If Henry helps. you
with the dishes and tides the house.
it would be quite evident that you
would have more time Perhaps you #.
could both go to the movies or for a
ride. When he has learned to pre-
pare food he can have picnics and
parties. If he keeps his room in or
der. let him know how restful you
find it when you go in to spend a
few moments with him. II he takes
good care of his colthes, brushing
them and hanging them up neatly.
he would be happy indeed II Mother
should buy for Father and him two
articles just allhe.
eff Henry is apt to forget his du-
ties, do not credit it to disobedience
but study how you may make 1t in
and PORTABLE for him to
Children dread to work
alone, so make his duties. so far as
you reasonably can. something that
you can share. Do not expect re-
suits beyond the ability of his years.
Praise him when he does well. Re-
ward him in a natural and sensible
way. Help him remember for he hon
,stly needs your help.
And presently you will have the ,
of seeing that he has
,couired the habit of reliability and ,
lccepts work as pleasant and nee s
,ssary part of normal living"