Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer

THE RULE.

Whidby Island, Nov. 13, 1887.

MR. E. MEEKER,

Ag. Editor Post-Intelligencer:

DEAR SIR—Ever since reading the article, 'Striking Reproof,' several weeks ago, I have been trying to send in my question, hoping for a speedy answer containing 'the rule.' Please consider a very busy mama (of four babies, the oldest five years, who must each and sometimes all at once have their 'bad days.') who has the housework and must help keep cream cans clean and roll butter several times a week, and not over-patient at that, but who would be delighted at a better way than 'striking reproof.' Pardon for even so much of your time. I had intended only sending the question and address of this busy mama.

This letter describes the situation of too many housewives struggling with overtaxed energies that render them 'not over-patient at that.' The 'rule' is patience coupled with firmness—holding out the hope of reward coupled with the fear of punishment, (not corporal) remembering that children have quick ears and understanding far beyond one's expectation. If a little one should cry and fret, it is well to remember that the parent when young did the same thing, and that a good, healthy cry will expand the lungs and give good, sound exercise that will bring a good, healthy desire for rest. As we said the other day about the pigs, 'let them squeal,' it will do them good. When you say a thing to a child, mean it. Deal uprightly with them as you do with others older; never say one thing and mean another; never threaten and then 'back out;' never promise and then not fulfill. A gentleman, the other day, with tears in his eyes, speaking of 'striking reproof,' said he 'could not see how you could raise a family and not whip sometimes.' 'I wish I could get out of the way of it.' The best of all is not to get 'into the way of it,'—once 'into it,' stop right there and think, and deliberate, and then it is safe to say that 'striking reproof' will not be administered.

The half-hour's contest with Cora, when she had her 'bad day,' reasoning with her, (six years old as she is) did her more good than a hundred whippings. She, too, remembers it. 'You won't tell grandpa, will you? I will be good,' told the whole story.

It is better to govern too little than too much. How often has the child been driven into falsehood, deceit and trickery by corporal punishment? to the loss of confidence between both; to the breaking up of all sympathy between them. Even if parental indulgence did 'spoil the child,' a little better that than to 'spoil' both parent and child.

'And thine was many an art to win and bless,
The cold and stern to joy and fondness warning,
And so let it be from parent to child as well.'