Dry Spoons or Go to Bed by A MOTHER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1915

Dry Spoons or Go to Bed

By A MOTHER

A MOTHER

CHILDREN should be taught to work. The small child should have its own duties, and be made to feel that he is responsible for their performance. Where there are only a few in the family, it is much easier for the mother to look after little things—for instance, wiping and putting away the spoons after one of the daily meals—if she consults her own feelings; but taking into account the welfare of the child, puts the matter in quite a different light.

When I tried to establish the work habit in our home, my little boy did not always enjoy his part. He wanted to play just when I desired his help; but finally, after I reasoned with him, he willingly dried the four spoons. At first he enjoyed it, and he learned readily for a three-year-old. But soon the “new” wore off, and he finally said, “Mother, I don’t want to dry spoons; I’m tired.” So I said: “All right, dear. If my boy is tired, he can just go to bed.” So to bed he was put. The plan certainly worked well, for he said to himself the next time the spoons were to be dried, “I tell-you it’s better to wipe than to go to bed,” and he has always remembered the lesson.