A Child Needs Mother Love. The Case of Billy.

Billy's teacher is worried about him. He is an exceedingly difficult child, dull at lessons, sullen, unpopular with his class-mates. He is so unresponsive that his teacher frequently feels annoyance, but stifles it because she pities Billy. He is ten years old, an orphan, and has been living in a Home ever since he can remember. Billy's teacher knows that there is a big difference between a “Home” with a capital H, and a “home.” Therefore she may be able to help him.

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A child needs mother-love to bolster up his self-confidence. Without it, he feels isolated and afraid. There is no one to praise him as his childish abilities develop, no one to comfort him when something goes wrong in his small world. Most children have a happy home background where they can always find love and understanding. The orphan child, on the other hand, has no one to whom to turn. Matron, nurse, the maids, are kind to him as they are kind to all, but there is nothing personal about it. There are so many children that the few adults can't possibly supply the necessary amount of love and attention to each.

Some happy-natured children are not so deeply affected by their orphan state, but a sensitive child like Billy can develop dangerous complexes. With no older person to take a loving interest in him, he becomes discouraged, with consequent failure at school, and a developing timidity. He becomes egocentric. His thoughts are so turned in upon himself that he shows no liking for other people—and consequently receives none in return. He develops, even as a small child, a pessimistic outlook.

The only thing that can save Billy, is interest prompted by affection. Some adult, preferably a woman, with understanding of children, must realize what is wrong with him, and endeavour to supply his lack.

His teacher may be able to do it, but not so well as someone who is in more constant contact with him. She may be able to visit Matron and discuss Billy's case. If his teacher and one of the staff of the Home can join in a conspiracy to “make a fuss of” Billy, even if it means neglecting the happier children a little, they will be well rewarded by his timid reaching out towards kindness, his response to affection, and his sudden development in all sorts of ways.

This won't come all at once. Billy is like a hedgehog. It will take a lot of coaxing and gentle encouragement before he ventures out, but finally he will realize that here are human beings who mean well towards him, who can be trusted, and so, gradually, he will develop belief in mankind.