The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-09-28
THE FUSSY CHILD
LAURA GRAY

"There must be something wrong
with my John" declared Mrs. Benson
to her neighbor as the two sat knit
ting while they watched their little
ones padding. "He's so cross, SO ir-
ritable, Pm just about worn out. And
he's much worse here at the beach
than at home"
Tn what way?" asked the older
woman.
"He won't eat his meals without be-
ing coaxed, whines for what he can't
have and is so nervous he doesn't even
sleep well. l used to think all chill
dren were more or less like that, but
since I've seen your sweet, happy little
Bobby I've begun to wonder"
Every mother likes to hear her child
called sweet and happy. Bobby'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-year-old Bobby chuckled as
his chubby hands piled sand on COM
panion lying face down, waiting to be
buried" Then Bobby stood up, his
two sturdy legs firm, his chest ex-
tended and his back straight. He
faced the sea and laughed, full of the
joy of living.
Mrs. Benson went on, give lived for
two weeks in the next camp. I've
never seen Bobby have tantrum nor
have l 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 dropped
her knitting and ran.
After little shake and many re-
monstrances young John was jerked
along to the camp and told to ego 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 expression
on his face that was unchildlike.
81 wonder if 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.
"Now laughed the older mother.
"My dear Mrs. Benson, there is moth
ing radically wrong with Johns dis
position, l feel sure Give him fair
chance and he'll be as sweet as Bob
by"
"Why is he so trying then, so un-
friendly, while Bobby looks upon
everyone as friend ?"
"Well, find that Bobby can be dis
| agreeable, too, when overtired or up
set"
"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
| 'finicap about your boy" Mrs. Benson
| went on. "But when | saw what a
charming little fellow he was l
thought I'd like to know the real secret
| of it. Thank you and Katie for tell
ing me-"
1t is not natural for little child to
be fussy, nervous or troublesome.
Even 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 lot
of energy a little one uses up each
hour
Unsuitable food uncomfortable cloth
ing, the effort to adjust to an adult
program, all help to "spoil" a little
one. In all seasons, a young child
needs quiet, regular hours and under
standing care, as well as suitable COM
panionship, 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.