Read Online Uncle John’s Presents Mom’s Bathtub Reader by Bathroom Readers’ Institute - Free Book Online
Book: Uncle John’s Presents Mom’s Bathtub Reader by Bathroom Readers’ Institute
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Authors: Bathroom Readers’ Institute
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not talk back.
SPARE THE ROD, OR NOT?
As everybody knows, all kids are not angels. They do get out of line from time to time, and parents have to become the enforcers. How they enforce their rules and punish misbehavior varies from culture to culture.
In the West, the jury has long been out on the benefits or detriments of corporal punishment. About a third of U.S. parents will give a pop on the behind when a child acts up, but many pediatricians advise other forms of discipline—like time-outs or deprivations such as taking away a favorite toy. In Mexico, kids are rarely spanked if they are under seven years old. Up north, the Inuit see their children as treasures and rarely rebuke them—certainly they never spank them. In farming societies where children are expected to be obedient and work hard, punishment may be physical, as with the Ngandu in the forests of the Central African Republic.
Discipline isn’t always for parents of some cultures. Sometimes the messages are mixed. In Okinawa a Tairan mom might scold her small child, then relent and apologize if her child cries. In India, a Rajput mother might nag her kid to do chores—then let the matter drop. In the United States, Dr. Spock noted that a mother might tell a child to turn off the TV set and go to bed, then back downwhen the child protests that none of her friends have to go to bed so early. He advised moms to make simple rules and stick to them, no matter what the other kids are doing. Consistency is key.
SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES OR NOT?
In all cultures, moms work to raise their children to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. It seems there are as many routes for success as there are children. No matter what the maternal strategy, moms around the world seem to be doing just fine.
My Sainted Mom
Saint Monica (c. 331–387)
The mother of St. Augustine, Monica is the patron saint of mothers, especially those with undisciplined sons. She is also sacred to recovering alcoholics, as her son’s Confessions indicate that she too overcame addiction.
Saint Paula (347–404)
Paula’s husband died when she was 32 and had five kids. It’s no wonder that she is the patron saint of widows. Paula was taken in by Saint Jerome and followed his teachings and eventually him to the holy land. She founded a monastery and hostel for pilgrims.
Moms Rally for Peace? And Howe!
Julia Ward Howe, the author of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” motivates moms for peace.
J ulia Ward Howe (1819–1910) was the founder of Mother’s Day for Peace, a predecessor of modern Mother’s Day. Only her day wasn’t devoted to gifts and breakfast in bed. Julia’s day was rooted in mothers’ political unity for international peace.
MOTHER’S DAZE
Actually, when it came to motherhood, Julia herself had a tough time adjusting to it. She grew up the daughter of a wealthy New England banker, had an excellent education, and was used to enjoying exclusive parties and plenty of male attention. But after she married educator Samuel Howe, life changed drastically. The couple had six children (five of whom lived) in twelve years.
Though Julia came to treasure her brood, in her first years as a mom she was depressed and miserable. Why, she wondered, had she “traded in a life of easy circumstances and brilliant surroundings” to become a harassed mother of five, isolated from fashionable society and intellectual stimulation? Samuel unintentionally made her more miserable. As a traditional husband, he wanted Julia to remain at home.
Finally, Julia decided to take a few moments every day to read and do some writing. She discovered (as the worldsoon would) that she had talent, and she published a volume of poetry. Samuel tried to get her to give up writing because he thought it too revealing of their marriage problems. He is said to have even become violent, but Julia refused to give up her work. She began a lifelong battle for liberty: first for herself as a writer, then to abolish slavery, next
SPARE THE ROD, OR NOT?
As everybody knows, all kids are not angels. They do get out of line from time to time, and parents have to become the enforcers. How they enforce their rules and punish misbehavior varies from culture to culture.
In the West, the jury has long been out on the benefits or detriments of corporal punishment. About a third of U.S. parents will give a pop on the behind when a child acts up, but many pediatricians advise other forms of discipline—like time-outs or deprivations such as taking away a favorite toy. In Mexico, kids are rarely spanked if they are under seven years old. Up north, the Inuit see their children as treasures and rarely rebuke them—certainly they never spank them. In farming societies where children are expected to be obedient and work hard, punishment may be physical, as with the Ngandu in the forests of the Central African Republic.
Discipline isn’t always for parents of some cultures. Sometimes the messages are mixed. In Okinawa a Tairan mom might scold her small child, then relent and apologize if her child cries. In India, a Rajput mother might nag her kid to do chores—then let the matter drop. In the United States, Dr. Spock noted that a mother might tell a child to turn off the TV set and go to bed, then back downwhen the child protests that none of her friends have to go to bed so early. He advised moms to make simple rules and stick to them, no matter what the other kids are doing. Consistency is key.
SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES OR NOT?
In all cultures, moms work to raise their children to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. It seems there are as many routes for success as there are children. No matter what the maternal strategy, moms around the world seem to be doing just fine.
My Sainted Mom
Saint Monica (c. 331–387)
The mother of St. Augustine, Monica is the patron saint of mothers, especially those with undisciplined sons. She is also sacred to recovering alcoholics, as her son’s Confessions indicate that she too overcame addiction.
Saint Paula (347–404)
Paula’s husband died when she was 32 and had five kids. It’s no wonder that she is the patron saint of widows. Paula was taken in by Saint Jerome and followed his teachings and eventually him to the holy land. She founded a monastery and hostel for pilgrims.
Moms Rally for Peace? And Howe!
Julia Ward Howe, the author of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” motivates moms for peace.
J ulia Ward Howe (1819–1910) was the founder of Mother’s Day for Peace, a predecessor of modern Mother’s Day. Only her day wasn’t devoted to gifts and breakfast in bed. Julia’s day was rooted in mothers’ political unity for international peace.
MOTHER’S DAZE
Actually, when it came to motherhood, Julia herself had a tough time adjusting to it. She grew up the daughter of a wealthy New England banker, had an excellent education, and was used to enjoying exclusive parties and plenty of male attention. But after she married educator Samuel Howe, life changed drastically. The couple had six children (five of whom lived) in twelve years.
Though Julia came to treasure her brood, in her first years as a mom she was depressed and miserable. Why, she wondered, had she “traded in a life of easy circumstances and brilliant surroundings” to become a harassed mother of five, isolated from fashionable society and intellectual stimulation? Samuel unintentionally made her more miserable. As a traditional husband, he wanted Julia to remain at home.
Finally, Julia decided to take a few moments every day to read and do some writing. She discovered (as the worldsoon would) that she had talent, and she published a volume of poetry. Samuel tried to get her to give up writing because he thought it too revealing of their marriage problems. He is said to have even become violent, but Julia refused to give up her work. She began a lifelong battle for liberty: first for herself as a writer, then to abolish slavery, next
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