194 How Much Work for the Country Girl 



SUMMARY 



1. Give the girl a trifling daily task at four or five 

 years of age, merely for the sake of discipline. See 

 to it, however, that her young life be occupied chiefly 

 in play and enjoyment and outdoor recreation. 



2. Gradually increase the amount of work required, 

 but always with an eye single to the girl's physical 

 growth and character-development. Some definite 

 thing to do as a regular daily requirement will prove 

 most helpful. 



3. Continue throughout the daughter's growing 

 years to provide for her pleasure. Her schooling, 

 her personal belongings, her social advantages, and 

 the like, must all be made to serve the purpose of 

 making her life in the home a happy one. As she 

 grows in strength and years, she will assume the 

 increased amount of work with willingness and even 

 with pleasure, provided the assigned duties be vi- 

 tally related to her present purposes and her life 

 interests. 



'* 4. Moreover, country parents must learn to'think 

 of themselves as first of all engaged in bringing up 

 their children for a better human society; and sec- 

 ondly, as engaged in farming and housekeeping. If 

 this point of view be held to persistently, the crops 

 may often suffer and the housework frequently re- 

 main unfinished, but the vital interests of the 

 boys and girls will continue ever to be served. 



