CHILDISH FAULTS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 325, 5 January 1937, Page 7

CHILDISH FAULTS

Overcoming Jealousy Is Difficult. / For the reason that jealousy l comes more into the category of an obsession than a fault, it is one of the most difficult things to cure, states an exchange. Either it is strongly inherent in the child’s nature or it is created by thoughtless parents who show favouritism. In the first case, jealousy begins to make itself apparent at an early age

and in numerous little ways, some of which are not recognised as such. For instance, the child may be, playing quite happily when his mother comes, into the room with a baby cousin. Immediately he loses all interest in his playthings. This is not the time to say, “Bobby has come to play with you,” tor the child’s jealousy has already been aroused, and the last thing- he wants to do is -to play with Bobby. Instead, mother shoultj, appeal to his protective instinct, and say: “Will you take care of Bobby for me while I’m busy?" The jealous child is never haippy or contented for long, because he is always looking round to see what other children have. Why has John been given a larger piece of cake? Why has Mary got sixpence when he has only fourpence? In fact the burden of his song Is, “Why can’t I?” Jealousy is not a thing that the child will grow out of, as with some other failings, but is one that will deepen with advancing years, until | it becomes ineradicable and makes not only the possessor, but also those who come into contact with him miserable. When that danger signal, the frown of envy, appears on a child’s brow, as it may do all too frequently, it must instantly ba dealt with. Taka each Incident as it arises, and appeal to the child's mentality and common sense. For example, tell him that cake can’t always be cut exactly the same size, and next time perhaps he will get the bigger piece. ■Show him a sound reason for everything, and do not be satisfied until he accepts it. If tact is adopted as a cure, every sign of jealousy must be nipped in the bud by turning it into something satisfying to the child’s mind. In the second case, where parents single out one child from the others, usually they, spoil him to such an extent that at first he becomes dogmatic, indifferent to the feelings of others and often bad tempered; and later, when he can no longer get everything he wants, these traits develop into jealousy of everybody and | everything, until he ends, by quarrelI ling wherever he goes. J But the real tragedy Is that he is

not the only one made j-ialous by favouritism. The second child, especially if there are only two, notices with a kind of fierte envy the difference that is made between them. As pride and instinct teach him that it is no use showing it, he closes up Into himself, perhaps weeps sometimes when he is alone, and develops into the- type of man who is afraid of his own opinions.