NERVOUS INSTABILITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 4 October 1924, Page 7

NERVOUS INSTABILITY

Some mothers,. over-zealous in the matter of their children’s behaviour, subject them to a process which can best be described as ‘'putting them under the microscope.” They watch every action, exhorting and correcting on every possible occasion ,and cross-question the little ones about happenings that take place when they are away from their parents. Nervous habits in childhood are sometimes formed, and often- strengthened, through too much notice being taken of them. Unfortunately, the very, prominence given to undesirable proceedings impresses them on a child’s mind and launches habit that- would otherwise have remained a solitary action. Mothers who feel that they are ‘‘putting their children under the microscope" should resolutely resolve not to scrutinise every action. To turn a blind eye is necessary sometimes for the welfare of the little ones. Nervous stability is greatlv to be desired in our children.and by developing morbid seli’consciousness in them we weaken that stability. Apart from the failure to achieve the result we are it is worthy of note that nervous instability is one of the chief reasons of lack of success in life. An old nurse, who has remained with a family to the third feneration, said that she strongly objected to children being made to say they are ‘‘sorry.” “I always say ‘I am sorry you have done that,’ and if they tell me of their own accord that they.are sorry, I know they mean it.” She recognised the fact that good resolutions are of no use unless they are followed up by actions.