Next time we play a domestic scene, I’ll give Abel this useful manual from 1905, “Home Education” by Charlotte M. Mason:
Rewards and punishments should be relative consequences of conduct. …they should be natural, or, at any rate, the relative consequences of conduct: should imitate, as nearly as may be without injury to the child, the treatment which such and such conduct deserves and receives in after life.
In many cases, the natural consequences of the child’s fault is precisely that which it is [the mother’s] business to avert, while, at the same time, she looks about for some consequence related to the fault which shall have an educative bearing on the child. For instance, if a boy neglects his studies, the natural consequence is that he remains ignorant; but to allow him to do so would be criminal neglect on the part of the parent.
I think, as a pretend-child I should be allowed some input into this terribly difficult decision.
“That’s OK, Daddy, I’ll take the consequences and remain ignorant! It’ll be awfully hard on me, but I’m sure I deserve it! What, a spanking? That’s not natural consequences!”
I wonder if that’ll work.
Of course it will work!
Ah, but that’s from 1905. A bit modern for Abel, isn’t it?
But still. I dare you, Haron.