Article July 21, 1980 Issue

Take the training wheels off

GLORIA ELAINE MARLATT

A teen-age member of the family was discussing an incident at work. Another member was lovingly prompting him on how to see the situation in a spiritual light, citing passages from the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. Suddenly the teen-ager stopped and with a good-natured grin said, "Please—you've got to take the training wheels off!" He knew how to demonstrate Christian Science without adult direction. The entire family enjoyed the joke.

Afterward, however, I wondered if all present recognized the full import of his words. I thought of how often parents hover over young people, feeling they must be a party to their every action and demonstration.

When children are in their formative years, we certainly must train and direct them. But as they grow into young men and women, we should gradually let go of them as well as of our feeling of responsibility for their welfare.

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