Show Your Baby Children Must Learn to Be Independent By MYRTLE l MEYER ELDRED The free leaflet Teaching Independence Independence Independence Inde Inde- may be obtained by anyone who is interested Send your request with a cent 3 stamped self-addressed self envelope to Mrs Eldred of the your baby and mine department in care of The Salt Lake Telegram A baby who has spent almost every waking moment with on one individual mother or nurse becomes becomes becomes be be- comes so accustomed to her presence presence presence pres pres- ence that she is miserable about it At first this desire for the mothers mother's presence hasn't been noticeable for the mother has been with the child all of the time It is only when the baby is old enough to be left alone to play by herself that the mother becomes aware how necessary is her presence to the bhe baby's happiness Mrs E. E N N. W W. explains that her baby was sick In her infancy But she has never liked to be alone in the daytime At night she goes to bed without trouble Now she is a year old and she plays nicely and never fusses while I am sitting sitting sit sit- ting in the room If I put her playpen in the kitchen she is satis satis- fied But tl the e moment I leave the room she cries so hard that the tears stream down her face It takes her a few moments to stop after I come backI back I have tried talking to her and ignoring it but now she seems to be getting worse When I take her to the doctor she screams and clutches me when he comes near her From about the age of 9 months or so children may seem to fear strange persons and strange places This might account for her actions in the doctors doctor's office The influence influence influence ence of other children crying can can set a whole office full of children to wallIng wailing Acceptance of a separation from you will have to be a gradual growth but do take steps to encourage encourage encourage en en- courage it When you come into the room after an absence pay no attention to her cries Let her get over her emotion without your soothing attentions Move the playpen into the room next the kitchen so she can hear you moving about and see you some of the time Then when she has accepted this change move it where she cannot see you at all Put the pen close to a window where she can look out and be entertained en en- by what she sees outdoors outdoors out- out doors Unless you do this she will wIIl grow more and more attached to you and her dependence will make you a slave slav to her a condition neither wholesome for you nor the child |