The Bulletin. - 49 



THE MOTHER AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO THE CHILD. 



By Mrs. Frank Elam, Cleveland County. 



Of course, all mothers wish that their children may reach high ideals in 

 every way. This model or pattern varies according to the different people. 

 In ancient times it was strength, size and symmetry of form more than mental 

 ability; at least that was man's view of perfection. As an example, let us 

 refer to the choice mau would have made when David, the boy king, was 

 chosen. Our ideals should be carefully studied, and we should ask ourselves 

 this question : Is this the mould God would have us choose? 



Let us aspire to something noble and great ; then, if we are so unfortunate as 

 to have our little ones stop before reaching the topmost round of the ladder of 

 fame, their position will not be one of which we are ashamed. 



How early do these aspirations take effect on our children? Can we tell? 

 At first they are creatures of imitation. What mother has not watched the 

 little tots at their play do just as they have seen father and mother do? When 

 several children are at play where they think they are unseen and unheard, so 

 often we see our own actions reproduced, hear our own words used, even the 

 tones imitated. Sometimes these reproduced scenes that come before our 

 vision bring sorrow and remorse. What hint is this to us? Our every action 

 is an inspiration in some way. Is it as we would like to have it — a noble, 

 uplifting one? So, much can be given by way of example. If we are cheerful 

 and look at the bright and best side of life, so will the child. If we complain 

 and call life's pleasant paths a hard way, and appear as if we were the most 

 abused of all God's creatures, talk as if all were foes instead of friends, and 

 never had what we term a streak of good luck, just so the child will be. 



How can we teach the children to be unselfish, pleasant, cheerful companions, 

 to be a help and give to others that happy, uplifting inspiration, if we are not 

 so ourselves? At times we should stop and think, What impressions have my 

 actions made to-day? After the day's summing-up, perhaps on the morrow we 

 may make better and more lasting ones — something God would have us print 

 deeply on the character of the' little lives He has given to our care to mould 

 into noble manhood and womanhood, and for whom we would sacrifice our 

 lives. 



Further on, the little ones take more notice of life, of their surroundings and 

 all that may appear before their vision. They ask us so many questions con- 

 cerning what they have seen ; they begin to think and reason for themselves. 

 So, often when we find a little one deeply interested in something he has seen, 

 we can lead him to think so much further than if left alone. 



At this period we can begin education proper. Let us think what education 

 is and what it means to our children. What will it do for them? What has 

 it done for nations in the past? It has lifted human beings from a level with 

 the lowest of God's creation to the highest place of Heaven. If by a tact be- 

 longing to the mother alone we can create a desire for this education, an 

 unceasing desire for learning more and more about what is seen and heard 

 every day, much has been accomplished. Soon they will be obtaining knowledge 

 for themselves. 



Without the proper aid, teachers and text-books cannot accomplish much. 

 Mothers must aid them. Ask the children about what they are doing every 

 day. Tell them how you did when you studied these same lessons, and com- 

 pare the difference. Often this alone will arouse deeper interest, and interest 

 in the work is all that is necessary. When a child has become interested and 

 filled with enthusiasm, what a joy it is to him to tell father and mother all the 

 new things he has learned each day! By the interest we take in this their 

 first great achievement we add to or diminish their desire for study. So, often 

 our little ones' interest is just what the parents' may be, and we must ever be 

 mindful of this fact. 



