Monday, September 13, 2010

'The Art of Rearing Children Peacefully' by Emma Ray McKay

"...nearly every woman can be a mother, but not the right kind of mother.  The successful mother must plan, and arise early to carry the plan out.  If she does not, the meals are late, the dishes drag, the husband is cross, and the woman is flustered.  If she does not plan a week ahead, the meals are of a sameness and unappetizing.  If she doesn't plan three months ahead, the sewing is not done in time for school.  There is discontent and perhaps whining.  If she does not plan a year ahead, the gardening, the house-cleaning, and the education of the children are neglected."

"If the mother doesn't have obedience when the child is very young, two or three years of age, she is going to have much trouble as the chld gets older...."

"...In the early walking stage...a mother must be gentle, never scolding but helping him to learn pleasantly the many hundreds of new things, to him, in the world.  If she says, 'Don't do that,' every other minute, he will pay absolutely no attention to her.  It is useless to tell children not to do things unless at the same time you give them a suggestion of something they can do.  Instead of saying, 'Stop playing that drum, it is driving me crazy'. Try saying, 'How would you like to make a tower with these blocks?'  If he says 'No', try something else that you know he likes.  Keep him doing.  but if there is something that he must not touch or play with, and you tell him that he must not, and gently lead him away, be sure that you do not permit him to handle the article the next minute, or your desire will mean nothing to the child."

"The time baby starts to notice things is the time to start making him polite by thanking him for everything he gives you, by saying, 'Please' to him when you want something, by excusing yourself if you walk in front of him, or if you accidentally knock over his blocks."

"Treat all your children with equal affection." 

From Lawrence:

Mother was wise and thoughtful in her parenting and seldom had to change a rule because she never made them impulsively.  She considered motherhood her career, and she gave it the kind of intelligent consideration and planning that made her a wonderful success at it.  I can remember as a chld how I loved and respected my mother because she did not discuss my failings with the neighbors.  She certainly did not approve of the way some of the neighbors aired their children's weaknesses before us. 

She and Father were scrupulously honest with us.  Mother never tried to slip out of the house, she always explained where she was going and when she would be back.  Mother was never one to sit and fill the time with idle chatter.  If our work was done, she would sit down with us and propose, "Let's play a game!"  Mother and Father both enjoyed games.  I should also mention how supportive my parents were in what we did. 

As a result of their gentle, loving discipline, we children were never afraid of our parents or afraid of getting in trouble for trying new things.

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