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They are ready to report such cases of cruelty to
the Society. But hundreds of good women are permitting their children to grow up with cruel instincts: worse yet, they are teaching their children cruelty in
the cradle.
Before you question this statement, listen and think.
Do you not over and over see a mother whip a
hobby horse to amuse her child? Do you not see her
punish an inanimate object over which the baby has
fallen, in order to distract the mind of the baby from
its hurt?
I have seen rag dolls spanked, and Teddy bears
beaten, by mothers, to make a baby laugh.
What can you expect of that child when it grows
up, save that it will revenge itself upon anybody who
annoys it, by physical chastisement. The boy who
has been educated to beat his hobby horse will beat
his real horse when he drives one.
The time to begin to teach a child kindness and
sympathy is in the cradle. Say to your children as
soon as they are able to play with toys, "Be good to
your toys; they need love and kind usage. Let your
dollie rest sometimes, and handle her tenderly. Your
Teddy bear and your hobby horse are needing your
love." If your baby stumbles and falls over a chair
or rug, instill politeness and consideration into his
plastic mind, by teaching him to apologize. He will
be quite as much amused and distracted if you say,
"Excuse me, Mr. Rug, or Madam Chair, for my awkwardness; I hope I have not seriously hurt you," as
he will be if you say, "Naughty old rug, or chair, to
hurt baby," and then proceed to rain blows on the
poor inoffensive object. Teach your children to
address their toy animals in a kind and well-modulated
