MOTHER AND SON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17027, 28 April 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

MOTHER AND SON.

“ 1 shall have to entrust baby’s upbringing to Jack, so soon as he is out of the nursery,” said Phyllis. ‘‘Sons should not be brought uj£ with woIrene looked thoughtfully at her friend. “uf course,’ she reflected, “I shall expect Peter to do his share in training Peter Junior, but 1 don’t intend to withdraw my influence. You surely don’t mean you’ll give up your little son to his father altogether?” “ Yes, I do,” said Phyllis stoutly. “ People say that feminine influence weakens the stamina of hoys. And 1 don’t want him to be handicapped by feminine streams. ” Irene smiled. “My dear, some or the best men 1 have Known, the most wise, the most genial and the most charitable, have owed their fine qualities to just those feminine screaks. Don't you tmuk one can overdo this Spartan business, this all-masculine upbringing? Isn't it the mother who inculcates the little refinements, the nice sensitiveness, the thought and care for other people that so many small boys,, bereft ot feminine society, entirely lack:-' Parenthood is surely a mutual trust. The mother is as necessary to the son as to the daughter. To both she must teach the feminine virtues of tact and graciousness, of kindly thoughtfulness. These graces are not weakness, out strength.” Phyllis, 'lrene’s junior by several years, looked up at her friend ana returned her smile. “If that’s honestly what you think,” she said, “ then I shan’t sacrifice my natural instincts on the altar cl a mistaken ideal. Do you know, I’ve listened to so much of this talk of masculine strength, and feminine weakness that I had made up my mind to suffer practically complete severance from my small son, for his own good, once he had got past the nursery stage. But if you really think *' W hati I really think. ’ interposed Irene, as she patted her little friend’s hand, “is that if your young Jack shares his father s robust sportsmanship and his mother’s generous heart and artistic perceptions ; and my small Fc-ter has my irresponsible high spirits and my streak of sentiment to counter- ; balance his father’s rather austere highhandedness, we shall both be happy mothers of happy sons. They will be no less strong, manly men. because they know liow to tread softly in a sick room as well as to play the P.K.