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The Alaska Daily Empire
Juneau, Alaska
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A mother punishes her young daughter Babette for fibbing, but later lies to avoid callers, prompting the child to call out her hypocrisy. The mother realizes the importance of setting a truthful example for impressionable children. Includes a brief anecdote of a truthful parent admired by her child.
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"THE CHILD'S FIRST SCHOOL IS THE FAMILY" Froebel.
Issued by the National Kindergarten Association, 8 West 40th St., New York City. These articles are appearing weekly in our columns.
"Teaching Children to Be Truthful by Example."
By HELEN GREGG GREEN.
Dropping in at my neighbor's next door, I found a worried mother and a tearful little girl.
"Why, Babette, what's wrong?" I asked the child.
"Mother just punished me for fibbing." sobbed Babette.
"For lying, Babette," frowned the mother.
"Oh, mother, I only-" began the child.
"Don't argue with me, Babette!" ordered the mother. "Run out and play! But remember, never lie to Mother again!"
A few days later Babette told me her mother was not well, so I called to see if I might help in any way.
While we were chatting, and Babette was playing with her dolls on the floor, we heard a knock at the door.
"Teresa!" called Babette's mother to the maid. "If those are callers, tell them I'm not at home."
Teresa obeyed.
Babette stopped dressing her dolls, and scurried to her mother.
"Why, Mother!" she said, "why is it you tell me not to lie when you do it yourself?"
The mother looked amazed.
"Why-why-" and she blushed scarlet, looking at me as if for help. But I was tongue-tied, and greatly embarrassed for the mother.
Suddenly the tears started down her cheeks.
"Why, Babette, dear, Mother is ashamed! I never thought of this before.
Why, how could I expect my little girl to be truthful when Mother's so untruthful herself? To think I've set such an example for my child."
"Why didn't I understand?" she said thoughtfully.
Yes, why didn't she think?
Do not parents know that children are very impressionable and are easily influenced by the right kind of example; and by inculcating proper ideas and ideals?
Yes, there's no doubt about it, parents must learn to think.
A young bride recently told me that as a child she thought her mother absolutely incapable of telling an untruth.
And to her knowledge she never did.
A beautiful example, and a beautiful record.
Parents usually appear infallible in their children's eyes. And that is as it should be.
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Neighbor's Home Next Door
Story Details
A mother punishes her daughter Babette for fibbing but instructs the maid to lie about her availability to callers. Babette confronts her mother's hypocrisy, leading the mother to tearfully realize she must set a truthful example. Reflection on children's impressionability and a brief anecdote of a consistently truthful mother admired by her daughter.