Freud_Burlingham_1943_War_and_Children_k_text

fidence in her own actions in that way. Shehad noticed that whatever the girl did, shewould stop afterwards and wonder whether shehad done right.Several mothers, who were rather doubtfulof our methods in the beginning, admitted aftera while that our ways of handling the childrenseemed more successful than theirs.Little David's mother began to see the partshe used to play in his temper tantrums andsaid : "It is lovely now to put him to bed withoutexcitements".Mary's mother on the other hand still insiststhat her spankings are more sensible thanour indulgence when Mary is upset.All mothers relate how much they mindwhen they see their children continuallyrestricted in their activities in billets or in institutions.They are upset over the fact that insome places children are not allowed to handlefreely the presents which the parents bring tothem.Bertram's and Rosemary's father, for instance,reported as one of the instances whichcompletely turned him against their formerNursery, that a doll which he had given to hislittle daughter on one visit was still in thesame perfect condition when he returned fora next visit after several months at sea. This,he said, could only mean that the toy had been143