Milford chronicle., 1940-07-26
TINE OUT
LUCIA MALLORY


see them every day-tired mo-
theirs, cross mothers-Who have not
had the wisdom, or the courage, or
the good sense. 10 take a little time
out" from mothering their families.
There Is seriouB-minded Mrs.
Curtis, who brings her little daugh-
ter to the library and leads her 10 the
shelves Of sober books that fit into
her own adult plan OF educational
reading. Patricia's merry brown eyes
have never peeped beneath the COW
ers of a nonsense book, and we have
some delightful ones on our reading
tablet
Why doesn't that earnest young
mother rest few minutes from the
serious business Of education and
just enjoy her little girl for a while?
There is tired-looking Mrs Boone,
who manages to come TO the library
with her children and then nervous
ly hurries them away without per-
mitting them to make their own Sc
lection Of books or to enjoy any of
the displays that we have prepared
for their benefit. How much better
1t would be for the children IL she
would let them come to the library by
themselves and take that time for
her own rest OF pleasure! The IL
brary is a safe place for children to
linger. The librarians are always
ready to give them any assistance
they need.
AS a matter OF fact, most children
are happier to help themselves. The
books seem more really to belong to
them when they wander among the
shelves at will. There are several |
children who come to the library af-
ter school and spend an hour wait
ing for their mothers to come from
some club or party.
Nancy Harter, one Of the best mo-
Tiers know, told me how she learn
ed that she would be a better mo-
ther if she spent a little part Of every
week away from her children. We
were having cake and coffee together
at a meeting Of the College Women's
Club when the subject came up
THE babies were so sweet to me
when they were little that l Just
couldn't spend enough time with
theIh," Nancy began. 1T seemed won
derful to have & family of my own
after taking care of other peoples
children in the schoolroom for so
many years.
"An old colorsd woman used to
come every week to DO cleaning for
me. One afternoon when she was
there the boys were dFeadfully cross
and Quarrelsome. / tried to amuse
them. but they kept on fussing.
What can be the matter with
Dick and Terry7' asked Aunt Mary.
Neither is getting teeth, and they've
had plenty Of food aud sleep.
'Da ain nufin' de malta wifi dem
boys, Mis- Ha'ta'. Why dom you-all
go see a good show dis afternoon?
land leave the babies with you?
But you can't get your work done if
you take care Of Them l protested
"'YOu-all jes go long. Dem babies
don need much tendin''
Fortunately had the good sense
to take Aunt Mafy's advice. / came
back from the picture show refresh !
ed and rested to find the boys play !
ing happily on g clean kitchen floor,
while Aunt Mary was getting din
ler.
Ills your cleaning all done, Aunt I
Mary? / asked in amazement.
'Sho it am" Aunt Mary answer
ID, chuckling to herself in a way she
lad Dem boys an me, we gifts a lot :
, work doRe''
For a time the thought rankled
hat my boys would behave better 0
With an uneducated old colored Wo-
nan than with their own mother,
VhO had had years Of child study and Y
primary teaching. Il did not take me q
Ong. though, to understand the rea- :.
on-I had given them too much !
lOthering
i've managed to take a little time
ut every week since Aunt Mary :
indy gave me the lesson / needed. /" Z
Il wish all mothers might learn :,
hat lesson and profit by Il as well as =
GU have done," ! answered, think y
lg of Nancy's happy family and her r
wn happy self.