"Who takes the children on his knee,
And winds their curls, about his hand."—Tennyson.
168. If a child be peevish, and apparently in good health, have you any plan to propose to allay his irritability?
A child's troubles are soon over—his tears are soon dried; "nothing dries sooner than a tear"—if not prolonged by improper management—
"The tear down childhood's check that flows
Is like the dew-drop on the rose;
When next the summer breeze comes by,
And waves the bush, the flower is dry."—Scott.
Never allow a child to be teased; it spoils his temper. If he be in a cross humour take no notice of it, but divert his attention to some pleasing object. This may be done without spoiling him. Do not combat bad temper with bad temper—noise with noise. Be firm, be kind, be gentle, [Footnote: "But we were gentle among you, even as a women cherisheth her children."—1 Thess. ii. 7.] be loving, speak quietly, smile tenderly, and embrace him fondly, but insist upon implicit obedience, and you will have, with God's blessing, a happy child—
"When a little child is weak
From fever passing by,
Or wearied out with restlessness
Don't scold him if he cry.
Tell him some pretty story—
Don't read it from a book;
He likes to watch you while you speak,
And take in every look.
Or sometimes singing gently—
A little song may please,
With quiet and amusing words,
And tune that flows with ease.
Or if he is impatient,
Perhaps from time to time
A simple hymn may suit the best,
In short and easy rhyme.
The measured verses flowing
In accents clear and mild,
May blend into his troubled thought,
And soothe the little child.