EDUCATING ADULT WORKERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 18, 26 February 1914, Page 4

EDUCATING ADULT WORKERS.

Before marriage I was rather popular, and, being a publie school teacher, I took up many extra subjects of an elevating nature. I found the more taken, the less one seemed to knoAV — but the more apt the brain became of grasping facts. The brain needs work. [Now, after 'marriage, my whole heart and soul, of course, were in my new occupations, and for a time I found it gave the brain a great rest. Later, ; children came, and although I was always commended upon the methodical way I had with them, and told how patieiit, etc., I was, it was only my' old methods coming back, and the wonderful training I have -received from the principals of the Department of Public Instruction here in Sydney. I knew that underneath I would> not change places with a soul —as the happiness gained by the training of the children could hardly be realised; still, I found monotony growing, at first the new work seemed so easy and so often repeated that I looked forward to my pastime friends occasionally, but their conversation was not as of oldelevating and scientific—but more like that which I felt growing in myself — monotonous. They, too, were married, and • had, naturally, I presume, their heart and soul in their new work —not meaning or realising their change. At last I questioned myself, Why should I feel dissatisfaction? I realised the change, and what was missed, and then came the inner feeling, "No time, not a minute, could I spare from my new duties now." At last I was determined —riny children were trained as machines —and I said to myself, "If not time in the evenings or midday, surely there is always an hour 1 earlier to rise?" So I tried my new plan—or rather an old plan with my new, and took up a few studies again (hard studies). I found immediately the monotony of life was changing to a more wonderful interest in everything, and that it was simply my brain which had been craving for more work. The daily routine of a house is not sufficient to keep the brain in working order. I have heard men talk of the comfort provided for their wives-cleav-ing them nothing to do but the house. Row wonderful? They wonder why their wives do not take an interest in life and talk as other women who belong ±o elevating society. If every woman took up, say, one subject—such as Great Britain, Early Economics, Nature Study, or "The Home and its Functions from an Historical and Hygienic arid Artistic Standpoint," or "Diet, Health, and Home,'' as described by '' K.D.'' in " Women's' World," then, when friends met, the visit would leave each woman Ithe better of her outing for the;'iiext few days, or perhaps months, ?. feeing encouraged to think of more elevating subjects, surely -would' be advantageous in bringing up the next generation. You can see clearly that I do not advise neglect of home. It is to make home happier I take the subject; up.— "Eunice" in the Sydney "Daily* Telegraph. '' f