December, 1937
472
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
A Mother's Soliloquy at Christmastide
By ESTHER W. TURNER Oakland, California
H ERE I am alone tonight, strange to say. Will is kept overtime at the office again—in the Christmas rush. I’m afraid he’s working too hard. Too bad he hasn’t more time with his family; he enjoys the children so much. Yes, it’s true, just as the lecturer said this afternoon— there’s no family life as there used to be. I suppose that’s one reason that parents should be more careful in planning their time. Some things that man said have dis turbed me. I must think them through. Per haps now is a good time while I ’m alone. I remember he spoke of the fourfold nature of the child—the physical, mental, social, and spiritual—and how it is the duty of parents to see that all sides of this nature are properly developed. He showed how the public school shares largely in the phy sical and mental development of the child, and how of late years it has attempted to direct social activities also. That troubles me, for I’m not sure I want the ideals of my children to be controlled by some of the individuals and groups in their school environment. But the speaker said the training of the
I suppose the parents’ part is to see that the children are led into certain situations and given such materials that their obser vation, ingenuity, and imagination are all brought into play. In that task their grand mother is a real asset, for she is tremen dously interested in all that concerns their growth. How I thank God for my wonder ful mother! With the exception of their contacts at school, the social life of the little family has been left to us almost entirely. But I can see that several problems are appear- ing—-companions, amusements, the play ground, and even our own family relation ships. If I am to direct the children in all this, I must be a watchful, fair-minded, and participating mother. The speaker stressed the thought of enjoying our chil dren. He said it would pay parents big dividends if we would make home the most attractive place on earth for our boys and girls. How should we go about to do that, I wonder. What constitutes a truly attrac tive home frbm the child’s viewpoint? Christian Teaching in the Home The thing that disturbed me most about
the public school, and over ninety -per cent under home influence. In our case, that means the responsibility is mostly mine, for during their waking hours I am with the children ten times more than Will is. It looks as if I shall have to analyze myself and see whether I am directing the lives of our three children as I should. Eight, six, and four years old—they’re at a most impressionable period. They have strong bodies, all of them. I try to give them proper food at right times. With the help of reliable books and magazines, and with the advice of our school counselor, I manage to keep them in a fair degree of health. Guiding in the Child's Development Now what about their mental develop ment? Jean , and Billy are learning fast at school, and they both like to go. But surely there is more to real mental growth than that. The speaker today said that a child learns more in the first two years of its life than at any other period. I believe that’s true, for although Junior is four, it amazes me eyery day to see how quickly he learns. What a little investigator he is!
How can we plan for a reverent observance of Sunday which will really please the children? Our boys and girls have each accepted Christ person ally as Saviour, but they be have shockingly at times; what shall we do? If these are your questions, or if you have others of a similar nature which you would care to express, please write to Mrs. Norman F. Tur ner, in care of THE KING’S BUSINESS, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, Calif., and mention also whether you would like to see in THE KING’S BUSINESS a new de partment, the Christian Par ents’ Fellowship, in which the problems of parents and chil dren may be freely discussed. that lecture today was what was said about the sad failure of Christian parents to give their children Christian teaching at home. So many are saying, “Yes, I send my children to Sunday-school,” thinking that is enough, or else easing their conscience in that way. (I’ve [Continued on page 473]
Mothers of boys and girls like the two in the accom panying picture may wish to ask Mrs. Turner, who is edi tor of “The Graphic Guide,” such questions as these: When will Junior be old enough to understand Bible truth? Shall we just “tell him Bible stories,” or is there something else we must do? We want to establish a daily worship period in our home that will be a spiritual help to every member of the family, and yet be within the understanding of each one; can you give us any workable suggestions ? How can we help our chil dren to get the most from their own Bible reading? Photograph by Pacific Photo Studio spiritual nature is left almost entirely to the home and the church. That big chart he ex hibited, indicating the waking hours of a child from birth to maturity, made us mothers think, I know. My! Only one per cent of the child’s time is under church influence, while seven per cent is under the influence of
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