THE OBSTINATE CHILD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19239, 1 August 1924, Page 10

THE OBSTINATE CHILD.

The inculcation of good habits into a child is not only a matter of precept and good example; it is also a recognition of fcho readiness with which a child responds to suggestions so slight tliat unless parents are watchful they will not even recognise they have made them. I saw this well instanced a short time hack in the case of certain excellently intontioned parents who were failing hopelessly in the task of getting thoir delicate boy of four to take the medicine prescribed for him. Appeals were laughed at; stern commands produced attacks of screaming, and the spectacle of baffled parents appeared to have no effect other than to produce in the child every evidence of a deep and morbid satisfaction. Whereupon, the parents would in his presence explain to everyone that it was no use, the child simply could not t:i.ko medicine, and as it was essential to his health they did not know whatever to do about it. Of course, the worst thing they could do was to go on as they were. The child, self-centred as all children are. was thoroughly enjoying the sensation his naughtiness wa3 creating. And, moreover, (ho conviction was becoming settled in his mind that he belonged to that unique order of mortals whose destiny it is not io take doctor's medicine. After all, did not those repositories of all wisdom, his parents themselves, proclaim it aloud to the world! The wrong atmosphere was being- created. Die child was accepting the powerful suggestion that he possessed this particular brand of original sin, and after that no amount of command could persuade him out of it. li one said les3 frequently in a child's hearing that ho can't do this, or he can't help that, and creaied a little more an atmosphere of encouragement, there would be far less naughty children destined (notwithstanding superficially good upbringing) to grow up neurotic men and women ! L.A., in the Daily Chronicle.