Timing The Criticism

One of the chief faults in the ordinary method of giving “moral” instruction is in the time of day chosen for it. The parent sees that when the child is absorbed in work or play, the instruction passes over his head; he pays no attention. But at night, when he cuddles up on his mother’s knee and loves her very much, and wants complete rest and a sense of security, she is apt to fail him and to cheat him of his wish by beginning her moral lesson of how she would like her little boy to behave. This completely spoils his sense of security and rest, and sets up a mental struggle, a wish to defend himself, which is a great cause of fatigue, for fatigue is at all times brought about much more by psychic than by physical experience. “Moral” instruction should be kept for an early hour in the day, when the creative impulse in the child is fresh. It will then do much less harm. Because a sense of inferiority is very easily set up in children, and because it is one of the most destructive of those neurotic disorders which incapacitate us for living, this advice should be followed strictly by parents wishing to bring up healthy children.