The Mother’s Book (1831)

AUTHOR: Child, Lydia Maria

KEYWORDS: animals, children, education, etiquette, motherhood

SUMMARY (Bryn Skibo, edited Deborah Madsen)

In this book, Lydia Maria Child does not discuss health-related issues but focuses on motherhood and education. She advises mothers to display kindness towards animals: not only for the sake of the animals themselves, but for the child as well. Thus, in the chapter entitled “Affectations” she writes:

Kindness toward animals is of great importance. Children should be encouraged in pitying their distress; and if guilty of any violent treatment toward them, they should see that you are grieved and displeased at such conduct. ... Before showing any disapprobation of his conduct, however, it should be explained to a very young child when he really does hurt an animal; for young children are often cruel from the mere thoughtlessness of frolic; they strike an animal as they would strike a log of wood, without knowing that they occasion pain (n.pag.).

It must be made clear that hitting, for example, a kitten is bad because it teaches the child that cruelty is a form of entertainment: this would be a form of “injustice to the injured animal, and a lesson in tyranny to the boy,” teaching the child retaliation (which can come back to the child). A related discussion in the chapter on “Management” Child advises against using corporeal punishment and suggests using more gentle ways to soothe an upset child. She suggests teaching children not to be afraid of animals: “Children would never have fear of animals, unless it were put into their head”; however, parents should also not shy away from showing children that certain “pests” need to be killed, because otherwise they will do “evil” in the house. This killing should be done with quickly and “mercifully,” and “with regret” (n.pag.).

Mothers are advised to allow children to keep pets, but not the kinds of animals that cannot thrive in a domesticated or caged state. In the chapter “Playthings. – Amusements. – Employments” Child recommends dolls because they are a quiet amusement and teach the child empathy. “For the same reason, and in a similar degree, I think pet animals have a good effect; but care should be taken to choose such as are happy in a domesticated state. I cannot think it is right to keep creatures, that must be confined in cages and boxes; no pleasure can be good, which is so entirely selfish. ... It is a benefit to children to have the care of feeding animals, such as lambs, chickens, &c. It answers two good purposes – it excites kindness, and a love of usefulness” (n.pag.). A recommended pastime on the Sabbath is playing with or caring for animals.