“GROWN-UP” TALKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 19 July 1924, Page 10

“GROWN-UP” TALKS

A great mistake made by many mothers is to ignore ihe presence children during their (onversations. Especially during the present time, when nurses are thought to be untrustworthy, or otherwise are considered an expensive luxury, are children, to be found, more often”than formerly, in the presence ot their elders. Very often, when some subject is under discussion which may not bo favourable for the child’s hearing, it. is excused by, “Oli, she is much too small to understand.” But it is forgotten how quickly new ideas present themselves to the child’s mind, or how they love to grasp the topic of, a “gkrown-up’s” conversation.

A. child with quick perception or imagination will especially find its elder’s < onversaton most engrossing, whereas an ordinarily bright child will become selfconscious and self-impoftant oil finding itself under discussion.

Above all, beware of discussing complaints or injuries before the child. Very often this results in building u)> an un ' healthy atmosphere for the child, and leads it to morbid fancies and thoughts. A child overhearing the grumbles and complaints of overwork from its mother, receives the impression that t,o be a grown-up is a very dull affair, full ot worries and troubles, and an impression of this sort is a great mistake. The sooner it is determined that provision be made for “things of good report” for the child’s hearing, the sooner wo may look forward to a healthierminded" generation.