The Wilmington morning star., 1946-07-14
Girl Scouts Fill Major
Need In Community Life

much searching on the part of
parents into their own behavior,
as reflect upon us.
Here is an example,: June was
reprimanded for not greeting her
mothers guests. Her reply was:
But Mother, you eve take time
to greet my guests
In seeking solutions for the
problems of everyday living, we,
as parents, must create a sympa-
thetic atmosphere of understand
ing in which our daughters codes
of ethics can be translated and
strengthened. When the telephone
rings, do we prompt our daughters
to say We are not at home when
We are really too busy or 10 not
wish to answer?
Our daughters must know rea-
sons for restrictions. Restrictions
alone are negative; reasoning and
understanding are positive. Mary
overcame her disappointment and
feeling of mistreatment at not be-
ing given a new party dress when
her parents carefully explained
something about the family budget
in relation to the amount of money
that could be spent for her.
If We wish to know more about
how and what our daughters think,
we must give them a chance to
express their ideas and opinions
without fear of ridicule, saock OF
punishment.
One family I know has set time
and place for a family council
When the council meets, each
member of the family, irrespec
tive of age has an opportunity tt
ask the reasons for family routine
and behavior, to express his O.
her opinion, and to make sug
gestions. Problems of family life
such as the use of the telephone
radio, ~dishwashing, allowance!
and their use, the scheduling o.
outside activities and the use o.
the family car are brought to ligh'
and C S S e d. Treating eacl
member of the family as a per
son in his own right creates mu:u
al respect, appreciation, and fami
ly solidarity in this home.
We must have confidence in our
daughters. If we have helped them
meet everyday problems and sue
cesses with honesty and courage
if we have answered their ques.
tons honestly, We have some de.
gree of assurance that they will
be prepared to meet larger prob.
lens and successes as they arse.
Keep up to date by being aware
of the interests and activities OF
your daughter and of the boys and
girls with whom h e associates.
Know what your daughter likes to
read, sing, see, and wea1, be
ready to share your hobbies and
skills with her, be available when
she needs, and wants you. Many
of Jul leaders, after attending
training courses in Scout activi-
ties go home and share their new
ly developed skills with their
daughters. This sharing of skills
makes for better understanding
and gives the girl a feeling, that
her mother is a pal as well
as a mother. Avail yourself OF the
wealth of material, written and
spoken, concerning young people
and their desires and needs in the
world today. Parent = Teacher
groups, lectures, books, and mag
azines dealing with the interests
of young people will help you.
The local Girl Scout orgsni-
cation operates camps for the
further development of your
daughter. At camp, a small de-
mocracy, your daughter can learn
to know and appreciate girls from
other circumstances than her own,
learn new skills and attitudes and
share responsibilities. One girl
who had camped for two weeks
said, when I get home l will
make every effort to be as agree
able as l am here. I'm going to
help mother with her household
duties and I'm going to ask Dad
if we may sing grace before meals
as we do here"
Ready and eager to help you
are leaders Of clubs and Girl
Scout troops, and staff members
of the character building and