^36 



AMERICAN BEE JOURMAj... 



■■Om BoewRS Simts. 



By f. l. peiro. m. d. 



McVicker's Building, Chicago, 111. 



UkJIU^ 



The Mother and Daughter. 



Dear Mrs. Lovejoy : — ^I am so interested 

 'to hear from you. and hope to add such 

 suggestions, from a medical stand-point, as 

 may throw a soft light on some of the 

 •duties of a mother that at times are over- 

 looked. I fully enter into your feelings 

 and anxieties, well knowing that cares 

 must come to daughters which only the 

 loving counsel of a generous mother can 

 modify or prevent. Upon such timely ad- 

 vice may depend happiness, or life, itself. 



Girls usually are endowed with much 

 sentiment — a sweet element in their nature, 

 if properly guided. More than boys, are 

 girls sensitive to tone of language and to 

 acts of kindness. That mother makes a 

 serious mistake who feels it necessary to 

 scold and humiliate her children. Such 

 irritableness can only lead to one sad end— 

 the loss of that filial regard, so dear to the 

 heart of a mother. 



At best, the first 20 years of a girl's life 

 at home is next to drudgery, unless the 

 many burdens are lightened by a mother's 

 love and devotion. From her earliest years, 

 the daughter takes even serious parts in the 

 family circle; not infrequently circum- 

 stances conspire to make demands upon her 

 developing physical forces that were much 

 better conserved for years when Nature 

 will bring under tribute the utmost re- 

 sources of mind and body. Then, mother, 

 dear, let your smiles and encouraging 

 words far exceed your looks of reproof! 

 Begin in babyhood to teach your child a 

 mamma's deep love, and, when a school- 

 girl, be not annoyed at the many problems 

 that look to you for solution. Do not think 

 to appease the many enquiries by evasions 

 or rebuffs. Questions mu.st be answered by 

 you, or left to less competent, because less 

 sympathetic, substitutes. 



From childhood your daughter should be 

 encouraged to best endeavors in the appre- 

 ciation of that which is noblest in a social 

 and literary sense. She should be early 

 taught to seek companionship of the inno- 

 cent and pure as playmates, and instructive 

 books for the lonely hours. If not gently 



directed to these, she may easily be misled 

 by wrong influences in this the formative 

 period of her life. Far better for her to ac- 

 quire good tastes and judgment now, that 

 she may the easier reject less profitable 

 opportunities in years to come. 



Let her mind and ideals have the widest 

 scope, that she may the better judge, in the 

 future, as to the merits of her surround- 

 ings. The highest advantages are not pos- 

 sible to all parents, I fully recognize, but I 

 do know that many more, and greater, are 

 quite within the reach of fathers and 

 mothers who do not think it important that 

 their children should possess them. 



If need be, get books, pictures, papers 

 less often, but get the best you can afford 

 when you buy. Flowers are always sources 

 of inspiration to girls. Hence, surround 

 your home with many. In that corner of 

 your house should grow two or three 

 climbing roses ; at the porch train a couple 

 of clematis, a white and blue— their con- 

 trast is very effective; on each side of the 

 walk plant several hardy roses, and close to 

 its border a row of tulips for early flower- 

 ing. To this list add what you both think 

 attractive. By consulting your daughter's 

 wishes, you also teach her the necessity of 

 proper selections. Now, these plants will 

 cost comparatively little, and with such 

 care as the girl may be taught to easily 

 give, you will have beautiful plants and 

 flowers for years to come ! 



Just call to mind when you were a girl — 

 the pride and satisfaction you experienced 

 in receiving your young company in as 

 pleasant and inviting surroundings. And 

 your daughter is only a second edition of 

 her good mother ! Hence, nothing wonder- 

 ful that her tastes and ambitions should so 

 closely resemble. 



One observation more, and I am done for 

 the present. Mothers, (Zom'< be prudish to 

 the extent of keeping your daughters in 

 ignorance of the changes that are certain 

 to come when years of puberty advance. 

 How many girls have been terribly fright- 

 ened at the first occurrence that marked 

 the transition from girlhood to woman- 

 hood ! She ought to have bees advised in 

 time, that she might have been prepared 

 for this wonderful and new experience in 

 her immediate life. You have been remiss 

 in your obvious duty to her, if you have 

 not, at some quiet moment, fully explained 

 the nature and the purposes of this physio- 



