Management during the Teenage Years, 19th Century Style: a how-to adapted from Lydia Maria Child's 1831 book, The Mother's Book. An example of advice from the early 19th century "cult of domesticity" era.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: 5 years
Here's How:
- Never sanction the slightest error, or imprudence.
- But at the same time keep your heart warm and fresh, ready to sympathize with all the innocent gayety and enthusiasm of youth.
- The drawers, trunks and work-box of a young lady should be occasionally inspected, for the purpose of correcting any tendency to wastefulness, or sluttishness.
- Particular care should be taken of the teeth; they should be washed with a clean brush and water at least twice a day.
- Buttons off, muslins wrinkled, the petticoat below the edge of the gown, shoestrings broken, and hair loose and straggling, should never pass unnoticed.
- From the time children are twelve years old, they should keep a regular account of what they receive, and what they expend.
- It is an excellent plan for a father, at the beginning of the year, to state what he is willing each child, older than twelve, should expend per quarter.
- If a child has a quarter of a dollar a month to expend, and gives half of it to a poor sick neighbor, let a child see that it increases your affection and respect.
- I would urge the vast importance of a thorough knowledge of arithmetic among women. It is a study that greatly tends to strengthen the mind, and produce careful habits of thought.
- I do think children should be brought up with a dread of being dependent on the bounty of others. Educate children that they could in case of necessity support themselves respecably.
- Important as a love of reading is, there are cases where it ought to be checked. It is mere selfishness and indolence to neglect active duties for the sake of books.
- Parents should carefully examine every volume they put into the hands of young people. In doing this, the disposition and character of the child should be considered.
- Never countenance by word or example that silly affected sensibility which leads people to faint or run away at the sight of danger, or distress.
- Talk of things rather than persons, lest your children early imbibe a love of gossipping. Particularly avoid the habit of speaking ill of others.
- A knowledge of domestic duties is beyond all price to a woman. Every one ought to know how to sew, and knit, and mend, and cook, and superintend a household.
Tips:
- You will want to use caution before attempting to implement this procedure today, of course.
