The Value of Truthfulness
THE value of what has been said on the subject of the child’s belief in the mother is proved when the child is large enough to observe and ask questions pertaining to “the sacred mysteries of life and sex.” This is a vital time in every child’s life. It is also the time when the mother needs most to pray for guidance to direct her answer aright; for as she teaches her child, so will that child’s faith in the mother hold or wane, and so will the pure or evil thinking of the child be developed. To guide a child in these matters is not to shock the little tender mind; it must be a bungling mother indeed who would be guilty of such a thing. It is an easy matter to begin at the kindergarten age and teach the tots that all life is from a seed; the tiny seed of grass they may see planted, nourished, and sprout may be an object lesson. It is not necessary to force the knowledge; let it be a very gradual development, so that when the little brain begins to wonder about animal life, that, too, may be explained gradually and understandingly. But be ready with the truth when needed. The child may be taught that animal life comes from an egg, and the little feathered tribes, the birds, of which the majority of children are fond, lay their eggs and nourish them by keeping them warm until the young hatch. This object lesson may be shown any child. Let him watch for the hatching of these little creatures. So may the hen be used as an example. The lesson may be gradually carried further, as the queries increase, into the animal kingdom where the mother carries the egg until it hatches and the little animals are born. If children were taught these things more frequently from the scientific and pure standpoint by their mothers, there would be less of evil speaking, fewer young girls misled, fewer young men corrupted, and a greater reverence shown the “mothers of the race” by boys and young men. This is written, not from theory, but from practical experience with two young men who from their early childhood were taught the beauty of life from this standpoint, hence there has been no mystery to them, or anything to be spoken of in whispers behind a mother’s15back. They were taught to ask of father or mother whatever they wanted to know, and not to discuss such things with evil-minded boys. Consequently they learned that an expectant mother is to be given special care and reverence, to be guarded from curious gaze and uncouth remarks. This training is bearing fruit of the right sort; and in a spirit of thankfulness, it is commended to mothers who are beset by “questions.”—The Circle.