The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-06-21

contributed oN the w aSntenaW toun'
| ~ child Care Committee, This article
| deals with the best way n prevent
psychological injury 10 children when
a mother goes into industry.
Women are needed in war indus
tries in increasing numbers as
more men leave for the armed
forces So many women are now
| being faced with the question to
work or not TO work" that 1t is i'm.
portant for them TO consider care
fully all the factors involved IN
making this decision. An impulsiye
| decision may turn out badly for
all concerned, and a woman may
| impair the war effort because of
the fatigue and distraction with
| family troubles that may result
| Turnover and absenteeism in in
dustry are costly and time con-
Stunning Factories depIore train
ing women who soon have to return
TO their unsolyed problems at home
What. then. should be consider
ed? First, an inventory OF one S
family should be made How does
the husband feel about the home
maker leaving her household du.
| ties? Is he agreeable to giving up
some of his home comforts? Will
his own job suffer if his meals are
less carefully prepared or his home
sponsibilities increased? A wom-
an unaccustomed to factory work
and long hours is an easy prey to
fatigue and should not hope to car.
ry on both a job and her usual
| household and family duties. A
complete shift in the family pat
tern is usually necessary. Hus-
bands and children should be con.
suited about the changes and each
one encouraged TO help make the
necessary plans.
Mothers of children under the
age of 2i2 years are probably need
ed more urgently at home than in
the factories. These children are
too young for day nurseries and
changes are harder for them than
for older children. Even older
children may feel deserted, neglect
ed, unless their care is most care
fully talked over with them II
the father of family must be away
for military duty. the mother is
left with full responsibility for
keeping family unit intact. II
S e, too, leaves the home. the chill
dren may feel that they no longer
have 4 family to whom they are
accountable Children who have
been moved to new communities
are especially vulnerable. for they
feel no ties with peighbors or old
family friends. A child at loose
ends is a problem to himself and
to others. The L. S. Children's Blu
reau urges that care and super
vision must be available during the
entire time Of the mothers alb
sence from the home, unless some
other responsible adult is in the
home during any part of this
time"
These are some OF the problems
which every woman must face and
solve before she applies for job.
Otherwise she will take her prob
lens to work with her where they
will actually sabotage the war ef-
fort
Once the decision TO work has
been made, mother must thought
fully prepare her children for the
change. Even very young chill
dren can he proud of their mother $
contribution to the war effort If
child is to stay with another
family. he should have plenty OF
time 10 get acquainted, perhaps
visiting several times accompanied
by his mother before she finally
leaves him there and goes to work.
He may be allowed to take along
his own familiar toys.
The same plan can be followed
If the child is to 90 TO nursery
school. Thus, he can make friends
with teacher and children while
still feeling secure in his mother )
presence. When she must leave,
he knows he is with friends. He
should he told that his mother
will return for him at a definite
time so that he has no fear OF
| losing her entirely. Nursery schools
in Washtenaw County are manned
by trained teachers who can help
the child adjust to his new exper-
fence
older children are better able
/ TO understand the mothers absence
but even they can feel resentful
unless they are consulted and their
wishes considered in plans for their
| care No child enjoys coming
( home 10 an empty house and If at
all possible. plans should be made
| for after school care. Lunches
are most important and children s
l - -. ! -. H. ,nlnae nrnNi.