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Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
shattered, doubted the existence of God and refused to pray. We do not gain our children’s con fidence by telling them extravagant falsehoods. We do gain their con fidence, in part, by being honest, positive and realistic. Not long ago a lady told me about an experience she had when she was a child. She believed every word her parents told her concerning Santa Claus. Even when her school chums denied his existence, she insisted he was a real person because she believed her par ents. Then one day her parents told her the truth. This little girl was so disillusioned and disappointed that she became very angry with her par ents because she felt that they had made a fool out of her. It was sev eral years before she could forgive them for doing this to her. Christmas is the season when we celebrate the birthday of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The nativity story is one of the most beautiful, heart warming stories ever told, and praise God it is true. Why not place the emphasis where it belongs, thus giv ing our youngsters something that will inspire them all their lives? It is evident that Satan would distract us from honoring Christ at Christmas. It seems to me that our Christian homes should increase their efforts to promote a sacred Christmas season. Like many other parents, I can see no great harm in presenting Santa Claus as a make-believe person who represents the spirit of happiness and kindliness. In this way parents can be honest with their children. In this way boys and girls will not be confused by placing their confidence in something which they suspect as illogical; and on the testimony of thousands of youngsters who are now grown men and women, Christmas will be a much happier and more satisfying time for our little folk. Sudd en T r o u b le Q. Why, after 20 years of happy marriage, does a Christian couple seem to be drifting apart, even con sidering divorce? A . There is seldom such a thing as
sudden trouble if one considers the underlying causes. For instance, a person may look perfectly healthy and suddenly have a serious illness. Actually, the conditions leading to the illness have taken considerable time to develop, even though the person may .not have been aware of his condition. Likewise, a Christian couple may to all outward appearances seem to have an ideal marriage and sudden ly friends hear that they are having serious trouble. The conditions which caused this upheaval may have been developing over a long period of time. Some of the reasons why Christians, after many years of marriage are having serious trouble are as follows: (a) the husband and wife may not have understood each other for years and have stopped confiding in each other, (b) they have not built their lives together around Christ and the family altar, (c) they may not have been sufficiently mature emotionally to talk over their problems without becoming involved and distressed, (d) they have not sought professional help. The best prevention Christians have for keeping out of the divorce courts is to keep their lives and fellowship centered in Christ. As soon as they begin to drift away from Him, their marriage is open to the undermining powers of Satan. Understanding Our Boys & Girls A new book by Clyde M. Narramore Suggestions for parents and teachers in out line summary form. Describes growth and development characteristics at each age level. Covers physical growth, actions and reaction, special needs and how adults can be most effective. Includes psychological case studies of 1) a boy who was lazy, 2) a high school girl who didn't get along with parents, 3) a boy who caused trouble at school and home. 6 4 p a g e s • $1 p o stp a id Dr. Clyde M. Narramore
Santa C laus Q. Do you believe Christians should teach their children to believe in San ta Claus? A . In recent years I have been im pressed with the large number of people who are concerned whether they should teach their children that Santa Claus is a real person. I sup pose that the more we know about boys and girls and how our teaching affects them, the more we can be expected to carefully examine our practices. Many adults claim that their child hood was much happier because they did not believe in Santa Claus. They say that the Christmas season is a more joyous time for boys and girls if they are not taught to believe in a fantastic lie. No doubt there are many things other than an implicit faith in Santa to 'make us happy. Some parents use the Santa Claus story as a disciplinary measure by threatening: “ If you aren’t good, San ta won’t bring you anything.” I be lieve that nearly all thoughtful people will admit that even at its best, such discipline is very poor. It is not only ineffective at Christmas time, but it constitutes an extremely flimsy foundation for future discipline. Many bright children have diffi culty accepting the unlikely story that a heavy Santa and his reindeer can fly through the sky, that Santa can possibly come down a chimney or get into locked houses. They also wonder how Santa can go to millions of homes in one night, how one Santa can provide gifts for children all ovef the world, and how Santa, like Deity, can tell what they are thinking, what they want and what their behavior has been. In order to accept such fantasies they must consider Santa Claus a super-human being and con sequently place him on a par with God. When children discover that they have been told lies about Santa they may also have doubts about God and the wonderful true story of Christ mas. I have known of children who having had their faith in Santa Claus
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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