The Fussy Methods of Well-Meaning Mothers

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6747, 4 January 1932, Page 2

The Fussy Methods of Well-Meaning Mothers

There aro numbers of well-meaning m,others who, in their anxiety to do the best for their children, simply defeat theiT own ends by their fussy methods, says an English writer. It is natural to want to protect our little ones from harm, but in the doing of it it is necessary to exercise much tact and common sense.

Wo aro all familiar with the type of woman upon whoso lips the word “Dent” is ever present. "Don’t go on that rock, Jack; you may fall!” "Don’t run on the grass, in case it is wet,” and so on. Now the normal child, if left to himself, is a most surefooted little animal, because ho has no fear until it is implanted in him by repeated remarks like the above. The suggestion that he might fall unconsciously takes away some of his natural self-confidence, and thus the fussy mother may bring about tho very thing she wishes to avoid. It is, of course, necessary to teach the child that there are certain laws of health which it is wise not to transgress, but stupid little injunctions only tend to produce either a mollycoddle or an unchildlike little person.

Let the mother rather see to it that tho feet aro properly protected against damp, or are shod with airy sandals which will soon dry should they scamper over wot grass. The fussy mother generally overclothes her children, especially her sons. Poor little men have their threats wrapped up in mufflers and a "nice warm overcoat” on when they aro simply aching to bo able to play with freedom —.and she wonders why they seem always to be catching cold, "when she is so careful.” But it is well-nigh impossible to teach the "fusser” in this matter, and so more C 3 men and women are in tho making, who by right and different handling should have grown to A 1 fitness. Tho fussy mother in nine cases out of 10 produces the fussy child —the type who is finicky over his food, supersensitive and fastidious to a degree in all matters pertaining to his existence, and very impressionable as to his environment. In the 10th. instance, constant fussing has the most diametrically opposite effect. The warnings, by their frequency and futility, cease to convey any definite meaning. They go in at one ear and out at the other, as the saying goes, and so when an occasion does arise where cautionary advice is called for the child is apt to take no notice of it, and accidents happen.

Incessant fussing often makes youngsters extremely jumpy and nervy, because their minds are always in a state of subconscious tension, waiting for the word of command. The child who is guarded and protected at every turn is tho most vulnerable being on eartb, for he has never learned the valuable lesson of dependence on bis own brains and actions. His mind is only, as it were, half awake, half developed. Don’t fuss over your children Bemc.mber that Mother Nature in her wisdom has decreed that many of life’s lessons can only be learned by personal experience Guide, but do not gird Shield and safeguard—up to a point—but not in such a way as to jeopardise their healthy indopendenco