Roanoke Rapids daily herald. (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1948-1949, 1948-11-03
Your
Boy WANTS
To Join Up !
3, GARRY CLEVELAND MYERS. PAD.

By GARRY CLEVELAND MIEkS' Sh.D.
AS the youth goes on for service
in the armed forces now, It may not
be so hard for his family to see him
20 as it was when We were at war.
Yet a great many parents will suf-
fer some anxieties and heartaches,
especially those whose sons have
been apron-stringed to them. A few
of these will be homesick lads.
Parents of younger boys soon eli.
gible for the Service may well begin
now to prepare themselves and their
sons in greater emotional independ.
ence. Just for the lad to spend some
week-ends away from home should
be good preparation.
Source Of Worry
Although a few parents, even an
occasional youth, may have . sneak
ing wish that he might, il called up,
be turned down as physically unfit.
Yet how can they have an abiding
satisfaction from such findings ? In
deed, to be turned down as unfit can
become source Of worry to 4 youth
for the rest of his life. The kindest
thing, the most patriotic thing, par
ents of youths close to draft age or
younger, i. to do their utmost to cul-
tivate the best possible physical and
mental soundness in them. To be fit
for the armed forces helps Ruaran-
tee fitness for civilian life.
The youth who has practiced
thrift and. operated on a budget is
fortunate indeed. my bulletin, al
lowances," may be had in stamped
envelopes.) He should be able to
save considerable money while in
the Service; also the youth who has
disciplined himself in intelligent be-
havior and citizenship; who has
been studious at school and has
striven to improve his education
and personal efficiency in other
ways. This boy will incline to avail
himself of opportunities at further
education in the many useful
courses offered at no cost to him but
his personal effort.
Strong Arguments
As during the last war, some
youths will be taken while others
are left, We parents might, from
our point of view, put up strong ar
guments about the justice Of the Sc
lective service rules and Of the ap-
plication of these rules by any local
board-no rules could please all Of
US. But We hardly help ourselves or
our youths chosen Ito 60" if we Bit
terly resent these matters in dis
cussion Of them with our sons who
are selected.
Just imagine the i'll effect on the
youth who has been called up, even
on his parents, if in their letters r
him while in the Service and in r,
marks in his presence while on fur!
Tough, they harp on these matters
plying him and causing him to pity
himself. Don't we desire that the
youth who is called may respond ia
this call with the least possible in.
convenience to him and the greatest
possible satisfaction
Write your son in the Service
regularly at least once q week
whether he writes as often or not
thus assuring him he belongs to the
family and has a warm place in your
affections. Dad should write as otter
as mother.
Don't harass him with reams Of
exhortations. He already know,
what your ideals are. He wants as.
surance that your heart is with him,
though you don't need to say 1t in
so many words. Be adroit and artis-
tic. Let him read between the lines
Of this assurance. He wants chatty
letters that make him feel he is talk
ing with you. Intelligently keep
alive the family ties.
Answering Parents Questions
Q. When has a tot really learned
the meaning of No?
A. When he needs to hear It only
once and in q moderate. natural
tone, in order to obey it promptly.
My bulletin, "How Teach Tot Mean
ing of NO." may be had in .
stamped envelope.
| @. Don't you think it advisable
to buy the youngster suitable play
things the year round rather than
so many at Christmas or on his
birthday?
| A. Yes, indeed.