The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-09-16
SUFFERING PARENTS
BY HILDA RICHMOND

Mrs. Richards fingered after the
recital to arrange for a committee
meeting. SiX-year-old Tommy began
pulling her hand, teasing to 90 home.
1t was awkward: she weakly renon-
strated but the tugging continued; she
ignored it in IL helpless way and tried
to 90 on with the conversation.
Grandmother joined the group. Tom
my Strengthened up; he knew that she
would not countenance such badgering.
On the way home, the boy ran on
ahead; Grandmother was waiting for
this. You should not let Tommy treat
you so disrespectfully," she said.
Il can't have scene," her daughter
replied.
"No, but if Tommy understands that
you will not tolerate any such be-
havior, he will not attempt it. When
you reach home he should be punished
If you allow him to be so troublesome
people will dislike him. But tell me,
had you explained to Tommy that the
delay was necessarily" Then as the
| lllolllcl SIloOh IcI Ht'iu, LOU ste, Ilt'
was tired and really needed to go
home. If you had been more courteous
to him, perhaps he would have been
more courteous to you. In any case,
don't allow him to be rude"
He'll soon get more sense" said
Mrs. Richards.
II am afraid it doesn't always work
that way. l know a case where dis
child has grown older. About two years
ago, good friend who has a garden,
brought me some vegetables. Her
eight -year-old Jack came with her. We
We're chatting a minute at the kitchen
door when this big boy began pushing
his mother. Although supposedly in
fun, it was very embarrassing We
tried to turn it off as a joke but nothing
stopped his ill-mannered behavior, and
she had to hurry away. Since that day
Jack has seemed less attractive. Pre-
viouSly l had liked him and watched
his development with interest He has
a fine mind, but he is dreadfully
spoiled. Neither can 1 feel quite the
same toward his mother since that
undignitied and embarrassing scene
For, of course, adults not their chill
dren are really to blame for children'S
misbehavior.
while waiting in the back of the
church last Sunday during the anthem
| saw Jack again. He was sitting be
tween his father and mother in rear
pew, and he was gripping the nape ot
his fathers neck and with appraised
foretinger, prodding the back of his
head. Red with embarrassment and
discomfort his father seemed to be
demonstrating with Jack, but the
|prOdding went on regularly. Then his
mother began whispering to him out OF
the corner of her mouth, but he paid
no attention.
II could scarcely believe my eyes
and those waiting in the aisles, were
all watching"
"IeS, those parents were to blame
more than their son. exclaimed Mrs
Richards. 'They should have corrected
Jack when, as Il very little boy, he
fully"
Il suppose such behavior really be-
gins with desire to show Off" and
Grandmother looked thoughtful. I'VE
forget sometimes when meeting friends,
to introduce our children properly.
They feel unnoticed and begin poster
ing us in order to attract attention"
II hadn't thought of that. I'll be
more careful after this to introduce
Tommy. But since I've been negligent
he may need some correcting also"
That afternoon, the Richards had
callers Tommy was introduced and
greeted in a friendly way but as soon
as the older people were absorbed in
conversation, he began teasing his
mother, trying to sit on her lap. She
put him off and suggested that he cut
the airplaneS from Il magazine supple
ment, but Tommy was not interested
and soon tried to climb on her lap
again.
EXcusing herself, Mrs. Richards led
the boy resolutely upstairs and told
him to stay in his room until the
guests were gone He felt Il new firm
ness in his mothers attitude and knew
this was no time to diSObey. He looked
puzzled, however, when she said.
You'll not annoy me any more! You
are going to be the kind of boy people
| will lilo