p. 95 | An Annoying Habit

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1885

An Annoying Habit.

If there is a habit more annoying than that of whining and continual crying by young children, it is not universally known. This habit is acquired frequently by children because it always brings them a pleasure or gift which cannot be obtained by simply asking. As soon as a child finds that success comes if it only cries long and loud, it will not hesitate to put its lungs in use. A little girl, with a mother more indulgent than wise, was asked by a friend at Christmas-time to see some of the stores. She persisted in handling the things on the several counters, when she was told if she did that again the friend would take her directly home. At the next counter a large doll was picked up by the child; the friend took her by the hand and said, "Now we will go home at once." The little girl threw herself on the dirty floor of the store, screaming and kicking; the lady walked quietly toward the door without speaking, and the child, seeing that she was in earnest, got up and ran after her. The child, who was elegantly dressed, found her coat covered with dirt from the floor, and asked to have the dirt brushed off. "No; you must go home that way; and please do not speak to me again, for I should feel ashamed to know so dirty a little girl. No one that you meet will think that you left home in perfect order; they will decide that you are not a clean child." It is over a year since that occurred, and the child has never thrown herself on the floor since that time. Being by nature clean and proud, the mortification she endured during that ride cured her of a disagreeable and annoying habit.

A mother who found her little daughter would cry when denied any request, cured her by adopting the following method: "Well, Florence, screaming won't make me alter my decision; but if you care to scream, I don't know that I object greatly, because it develops the lungs and is healthy. As you are generally a quiet child, I presume it is necessary that something should be done to expand your lungs. So far, you have my permission."

The noise stopped immediately. She did not care to be doing something useful while in a passion. After that, whenever the crying began, a quiet remark that screaming was healthy brought silence at once.—Christian Union.