CHILDREN AND DECISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18173, 19 August 1922, Page 4 (Supplement)

CHILDREN AND DECISION.

We have all suffered from grown-up people who are quite unable to come to a decision in the minor matters of life. Whether to go for a walk or stay at home, which book to choose, what theatre to gA ,to, are all made matters of tremenous moment because the person in question hair never been taught, the value of quick - t decision. From earliest childhood tho small peoplo should be trained to decide for themselves that which concerns themselves alone. Some children are naturally independent, but there are others who always want mother or some older person to decide what toy they shall buy, which little friend they shall invite to tea, what game they shall play. This tendency needs to be carefully watched, lest these children grow into the sort of folk who always want to shift responsibility on to other people. One wise mother, whose little girl was of a vacillating disposition, insisted on the child choosing her own frocks. Having selected suitable patterns, she showed them to Eileen, saying, " Now you must choose which of these you will have." At first it was a matter of much difficulty to get Eileen to say which she would like. Gradually she entered into the scheme, and by the time she was thirteen was choosing her own hats and coats. Now that she is grown-up she has quite lost the diffident manner she had as a child. And this she owes fo a mother who taught her to decide.