p. 13 | Forming the Baby’s Character by Dr. Mariana Wheeler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

Forming the Baby’s Character

By Dr. Mariana Wheeler

ONE would hardly expect to find marked traits of character in a very young infant; nevertheless, they are there, and show themselves very strongly, often when the infant is not more than twenty-four hours old. This, then, is the time to begin your training. Begin the molding process right now.

Infants are helpless, consequently they require our care, and it is a matter of duty that this should be our intelligent best. Do not depend on guessing in this important matter; it is not safe. Children require love, sympathy, companionship, and amusement just as much as the adult, probably more; but remember that a surfeit of good things has the same effect upon the young as it does upon an older person. It seems rather ridiculous, does it not, to think of a child, and a very young one at that, becoming blasé—tired of the good things offered? But it is true. We do not have to look very far to see children, even infants, turn away their heads with a shriek of disapprobation when well-meant, but constant demonstrations of affection are thrust upon them. This open rebellion goes to show how distasteful it is to the child. Occasionally children of not overrobust constitutions become so wearied and weak with handling, hugging, and kissing, that, like a sensitive plant, they wilt, and with pathetic patience submit to the inevitable because they are too weak to resist.

A selfish, nervous, unhappy child is invariably the result of overindulgence on the part of the parent, and not infrequently the parent reaps a bitter reward in utterly failing to hold the respect, love, and obedience which are due the parent from the child. Children who are overindulged lack self-control, and self-control taught at a very early age soon ceases to be self-control. It becomes a habit of trust in the mother—confidence in her discretion, love, and judgment. If this early training is delayed, almost before the mother realizes it, she finds a wilful and stubborn child; then if she tries to correct the faults she has nourished, she will realize that the remodeling process is a far more difficult task than the molding would have been in the beginning. If you begin to humor the child early in life by walking, rocking, or other form of entertainment, he will have a right to expect to be humored in other things, and he usually is humored until he becomes the autocrat who holds sway over every one with whom he comes in contact.—Dr. Mariana Wheeler, in Harper’s Bazar.