Mother Problems by MRS. I. H. E.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1916

Mother Problems

By MRS. I. H. E.

Not a day passes over the heads of most mothers that does not bring its perplexities. The little active bodies require such constant service in the matter of food and clothes, it often seems as if there is no time to give sufficient attention to the equally active little minds, and the proper cultivation of the eager little hearts. How shall Henry be taught neatness, the spendthrift Philip be led to realize the virtue of thrift, heedless Anna learn thoughtfulness, clumsy-fingered Ruth gain deftness, and selfish Lucy acquire the grace of sharing? Again, how shall the children’s natural tastes and talents be wisely directed? How shall the unworthy be uprooted, and the good and true be set in its place? How shall the “punishment” be suited in every case to the offense”? These are a few of the many questions that constantly arise, but only a few. In addition to the general problems of diet and health and education that all children need alike, each individual child, as every mother knows, furnishes its own peculiar problems.

“Women in general—but chiefly mothers,” says the Forecast, “are the ‘raisers’ and ‘crop handlers’ of the largest, most valuable, most expensive, and most difficult crop in the country. What happens to this crop between birth and sixteen years of age is, chiefly, what women do to it, or at least do not prevent. For the first five thousand days of the years of the life of each generation, the race is fed, dressed, undressed, washed, combed, cuddled, kissed, praised, blamed, led, driven, coaxed, taught, spanked, bossed, and otherwise ‘brought up’ by women—women mothers at home, women teachers at school.”

We wish Our Homes department could be, even more than it has been, a real help to mothers, especially to isolated mothers, those who do not live near libraries, who are unable to buy the new books on child training and culture, and who perhaps could find little time to read even if they had them. No doubt there are many such mothers who would like to ask questions if they were sure of receiving sympathetic and helpful suggestions in a friendly letter, or through Our Homes department. Believing this to be true, we therefore invite all mothers who would like to avail themselves of such help as this department can offer, to write freely of their questions. These will be answered—not always by the same person, but by some one chosen because of special fitness to deal with the problem under consideration. Such questions and answers as are of general interest will be given from time to time in these columns, others will be sent directly to the mothers.

One or two suggestions as to this correspondence may avoid delay and disappointment. First, be sure to state your question clearly. Second, write your name and address plainly, and inclose a two-cent stamp for return postage. Third, address the letter to the editor of Our Homes department.

A Boy of Mechanical Bent

The following question was recently received by the Mothers’ Normal Department of the Correspondence School:

“My boy is of decided mechanical bent. From the time he could sit alone, a small wheel or bit of machinery was fascinating. Now the greater part of his conversation is concerning gasoline engines, threshing machines, and automobiles. He knows far more about the working parts of these things than I do, and he continues to ask questions I cannot possibly answer. I’ve explained as well as I can the reason why the lower wheel on my sewing machine is larger than the hand wheel. He is always studying how he can make some new device on an automobile when he is older. He studies the catalogues, and asks me to buy him a small steam engine, and wonders if he couldn’t fix it to run his little wagon. When he was three, he asked for a threshing machine for a Christmas present. He is five now.

“How can I train this natural inclination into proper lines? It might at least keep him out of mischief, and make him happy and busy if I knew how to turn it to account.

“His father is dead. We live alone on a small country place near my parents. His grandpa has a small gasoline engine that runs the washing machine and wringer, pumps water, runs the separator, etc., so he has opportunity of seeing something of these things.

“MRS. G. S., South Dakota.”

Those in charge of this department of the Correspondence School sent the following answer to this perplexed mother:

“It is a matter for great thanksgiving that your boy has such a keen, active mind. He stands a much better chance of being so busy his mind will stay clean than do the children who grow up dawdling about, and asking, ‘What can I do now?’”

“There is a metal toy on the market, called the ‘Erector.’ The simplest outfit costs one dollar. Then one may add to it an electric motor and accessories on up to twenty-five dollars. The toy consists of metal wheels, girders, screws, burrs, and everything to make bridges, trains, hand car, trestlework, etc.

“The only trouble is, this question will probably arise, ‘If I encourage my boy’s love for machinery, will it not be likely to lead him into the work of the world?’ Without doubt there is danger, but so there is in whatever he may study or do. It would seem too bad to make your boy unhappy by trying to crush out this natural love for machinery. Better encourage it, but all the time pray for him, and try to impress upon him the thought that we should use all our powers to the glory of God. Occupy his mind and body with happy play, useful work, and proper education. Sometime God may call him into another field of effort. If not, constantly teach him that he should use this God-given endowment in the cause of present truth. We have many institutions where knowledge and skill in regard to machinery are absolutely necessary. Train him to prepare himself for one of these positions, but do not say much about it at present. Just keep before him the general thought of using his powers in the service of God.”

We hope the mothers in “our homes” everywhere will regard this department as belonging to them, and will be free to bring to it not only their questions and problems, but also the results of their own experience in all matters pertaining to the home and its inmates. Send us your own plans for teaching and helping your little ones, and tell us the results of carrying them out. Your methods may be just what some other mother needs to help her over a hard place.

MRS. I. H. E.