Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1914 — HELPING SANTA CLAUS. [ARTICLE]

HELPING SANTA CLAUS.

- ■ - - ■ \ Within a few years there have been organized several associations whose purpose it is to assist parents/ especially mothers, in the proper development of their children.

Some of these associations look to physical development, others to mental and moral, and still others to both. In a little book prepared by an association of the last named class, the writer recently found, this statement: “Parents are as much responsible for the selfishness of their children as they are for their existence.” This rather emphatic statement led to quite a discussion of the matter with the mother of several children, who told the writer thkt she had been engaged ever since her first born in combatting selfishness and developing generous impulses in her children. In relating her experiences she told this little story: “At this season of the yeai my children got into the habit of expressing their desires for particular Christmas gifts. I did not tell them that if they would be good boys and

girls they would receive these gifts, rather tried to impress upon them the idea that if they did not ask for more than they should receive, that is, were not selfish, they might get-them. With this admonition I coupled the idea that Santa Claus needed help, especially in reaching the poor, the sick and the unfortunate. I told my children to heSp Santa Claus all they could, and every year they have'managed to discover some poor child or some sick or unfortunate boy or girl for whom they have provided gifts. In thus helping Santa Claus* they have found so much pleasure that they have quite forgotten their own desires beyond the mere expression of them. They have at Itfast curbed their selfishness, and I think that I have led them to be generous to some extent.” In this woman’s experience lies more of practical value than can be found in all the books that can be published by all the associations in christendom. She got at the root of the whole matter, and she applied the proper remedy—a remedy that did not directly curb, that did not punish, but effected by indirection the very result that she wished to bring about. How many parents are today treating the selfishness of their children in the same way? How many need to treat their children in the same way? And how many can easily begin even now by encouraging their children to help Santa Claus? My ideal Christmas: Home, the country, snow, holly, a Christmas tree, carols and kind faces and fond hearts about you.—Mrs. Brown-Potter.