THE BABY IN THE HOUSE
Sir,-In a recent Listener (May 15) "J.B.’s" letter contained the best summary of the ideals of motherhood I have yet seen. Fashionable psychology now stresses the importance of early childhood, and rightly so; but I think few are convinced of the importance of the mother who is the whole environment of the child before birth and who creates most of it for some years afterwards. (It is, of course, beyond doubt that the other parent largely sets the emotiona] tone -of a household and is present even in absence.) The values of our civilisation do not allow that parenthood is the most important human function. Otherwise, why so often ‘the absence of footpaths and
ramps? Why trams that have -to be climbed into? Why a mile-long shopping area in a Wellington suburb without a toilet for toddlers? Why shops. with entrance steps, swing doors and scanty passageways? On the credit side, there are now bodies which aim at helping in’ the mental and physical training for childbirth. A norma] birth is capable of being a natural birth in which a mother makes a happy start with her infant and subsequently nourishes it naturally. The Plunket Society uses the phrase "flexible regularity of all. habits’ and aims at being a guide to parents and not a law. "Self-demand" feeding usually means no more than picking the newborn babe up if he cries, feeding him if he is hungry, even if it is an hour early, and if he really wants to cry for exercise, allowing it. Within a-month he makes himself a routine that approximates the Plunket one anyway, It is a pity there is not more useful baby-lore passed down in a_ babyconscious community to help form a basis for the emotional security of young mothers. Too many. of us start with the idea of discipline foremost and not tenderness. Motherhood is the one job that cannot safely be scamped, although there should be some relief from the constant presence of ‘a child, and generally is, in the form of’ neighbours and relatives. or play centres. I think success could. me be claimed if a new baby in a family was warmly welcomed and then not to. much pondered on.
PATRICIA S.
FRY
(Wellington).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 727, 19 June 1953, Page 5
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379THE BABY IN THE HOUSE New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 727, 19 June 1953, Page 5
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