OUR CHILDREN’S FRIENDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 4

OUR CHILDREN’S FRIENDS.

By a Mother.

“ Dreadful girl! A most unsuitable companion for yon. No, you certainlv cannot ask her to tea.” The words leap to our lips, but is it wise to say them? It is here that we so often fail our children, not meaningly but through lack of wisdom. We think in-bur ignorance that wc have prevented an unsuitable' friendship from ripening, and probably ivo ..ave; but what is to prevent the next triendship from being unsuitable, and the next? We are so keen to protect our children, but so few of us teach them to protect themselves. It is the wise parents who accept the friends and encourage the children to bring them home. Then, at least, they know who their children arc associating with, and are given an opportunity of training them in the wise choice of companions, which they would never have otherwise. The next step is to point out verv gently and with infinite tact the undesirable traits in the characters of the friends, not forgetting at the same time to draw attention to their good points. Do not make fun of them or snub them, for children arc exceedingly sensitive and cannot boar to be laughed'at. Let it be done quite seriously, and with infinite kindness, as if it were a picture or a frock under discussion. “I think your friend-has a very.sweet temper—she behaved beautifully when you upset the tea'over her best’ coat. What a pity it is she speaks so badly, it quite spoils her. Does she come from a very rough home ?•” Encourage the children to talk auout their friends —make them feel,that you are as interested in them as (hey are. Teach (hem to discover the good and bad points for themselves. In this way they will learn to become good judges of character, and the knowledge gained will he invaluable to them for the rest of (heir lives.