The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-06-19
WHO IS
NERVOUS?
LUCIA MALLORY

"Dorothy is just so nervous that
do not know what to do with her."
While she spoke those words, Doro-
thy's mother toyed with her handker-
chief and shifted restlessly in her
chair. Her small daughter, a chub-
by, placid child, stood looking up at
her mother with round blue eyes tax
ing in every word and tone and ges-
ture.
ooh, she's plump and sturdy
enough. Her height and weight are
above normal" There was glow of
pride in the mothers eyes. "But she
just can't be still. She keeps me on
the jump every minute. l don't know
what will become of us if she gets any
worse"
eff l were you, Mrs. Clark, I'd let
Dorothy have more time to herself, so
that you may do some of the things
you used to do before she was born"
l ventured to suggest. "Why don't
you get someone to take care of Dor
othy and leave her at home on club
days."
We were attending an afternoon
club meeting, and Mrs. Clark had
brought her little daughter, although
there was nothing on the program
that could possibly be of any interest
to Dorothy. That the child was not
at all nervous was attested by the fact
that she had been able to sit as quiet
ly as she had through the long meet
ing-an unnecessary and uniwse
strain to put upon three-year-old.
1t was equally evident that the lit
tie girl might become nervous if she
stayed so constantly with her nervous
mother. Children are great mimics
and Dorothy was in danger Of becom-
ing much like the mother from whom
she was so seldom separated.
| knew Mrs. Clark to be conscien-
tious mother, who wanted the best fo1
her child, but sought to gain that best
by unremitting attention. She was
making herself i'll by denying herself
needed moments of relaxation anC
time for the self-development that he1
own active mind craved. 1t was pos
sible l could help her, so l had de-
termined to try.
"Do you really think it would bt
advisable for me to leave Doroth!
with someone Mrs. Clark asked.
eyes, indeed" l answered. 81 know
several high school girls whose classe:
are over early in the afternoon. Heller
Barron and John Burroughs are trust
worthy girls who often take charge O.
children while their mothers are ava.
in the afternoon or evening"
"Perhaps you are right" Mrs. Clarl
replied, "but I've tried to keep from
being selfish with my time where Dor
othy was concerned"
81 is good for both children and par
ents to have some time to themselves,
| assured her. at seems to you tha
Dorothy is nervous, but she is stroni
and we'll. May not that seeming rest
lessness be merely the normal activit
of childhood? All healthy young crea
lures are in almost constant motto
during their waking hours. Adults fin
their recreation in quieter ways. Thi
club meeting, which is recreation fo
you, is a strain on Dorothy, just a
her vigorous activity is sometimes
strain on you"
Mrs. Clark looked thoughtful.
believe that is true, Miss Mallor!
Perhaps | haven't been as unselfis
as | thought | was with Dorothy.
will think more about this and pei
haps carry out your suggestion"
Mrs. Clark did carry it out. AS
result, by the end Of the club year sh
had regained her repose of manne
and Dorothy was still her own health.
happy self.
How many times it is the paren
and not the child, who is nervous!