CAUSE AND EFFECT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 81, 27 June 1927, Page 5

CAUSE AND EFFECT

NAGGING MOTHERNAUGHTY CHILD By MRS. ABBIE HARGRAVE. Is your child really naughty—or are you a nagger? There I’m afraid, is a very hard saying, yet many a mother who thinks that she is possessed of an unusually naughty child, would do well to ask herself this question in all seriousness. Correction that is too frequent, too openly mistrustful, has the reverse of a good effect on many natures. The very idea that they can never do anything right soon becomes fixed in the little brains not yet developed enough for discrimination, and recklessness, an inherent quality in the human young, is engendered. Perhaps the troublesome little ones do not, in so many words, argue that since they are sure of a scolding anyway they may as well have their enjoyment first—but dimly this must be what they feel. A Great Danger Could a more dangerous conception life in general fix itself indelibly in any young mind? “Children are so forgetful—-you must keep on telling them the same thing over and over,” the harassed mother "lay complain. To a certain tixtent that is true. The line between the wise ‘‘enough said* and the merely bad-tempered “too much,” is very soon reached. Plain instructions simple prohibitions, are the needed mile-stones al ong the paths of every-day. Children’s imaginations are peculiar to childhood. How often will you hear say: *‘l didn’t krow that was naughty,” or “I didn’t think you’d mind my doing that!” Hopeful, adventurous little voyage) s, why should they imagine evil for themselves, esPeciaily that over-powering evil of £rown-up folk’s displeasure! Give them a few rules, and stick to them firmly. Par better a definite punishment for the Infringement of -a rule, than a a< **n Beddings. A child's mind can grasp at an early °* ignominy of incurring, and the Jjjstice, of a reasonable punishment. °o3i, far too soon, it learns to underthe difference between proper guidance and—nagging. Few Are Incorrigible 1 think the incorrigibly whi? hty hardly exists outside thev iT e Call the criminal classes, and a T J® " ow much has environment and hiple to answer for? livK the child of ordinary parentage, a normal life in healthy suron?S5 in * 8 ’ ri eht and wrong in broad DoiivJl 08 come easily enough. Little JUJU?. a nd niceties of behaviour infollow iv\ good time. To the alir.Ji 1 who exp >cts the best, while criu!i ng sco P e for such childish exhiSF-?? e , a as mischief, noise and eTmost. any child will reCmi* In ! ) n t touchingly and surely. <l ren y * lilce all growing things, chilY O ,. tou , st have a guarded freedom. You t ,^ )e always training them or out £2 them of the power to throw forp i# lr OWn shoots, to grow. Thereon thft a finds herself insisting taanv ®. Ba i ne P°mt too often, in too * holial°. S ’ my advi ce to her is. take sure it I** least make absolutely °*n nerves?* ust a c i ucstion of y° ur