Washington Weekly
  Ask Abigale

June 14, 1863 By Anastasia Tymensky




Dear Abigale,

My husband has gone away at war and now my children refuse to listen to me. How do I make them listen without being known as the mean mother?

    • Henrietta, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania



Dear Henrietta,

Usually the father is the most strict figure in the family. If you can find a father figure in the family, that would be helpful. Children need a mother and a father at home, and you don’t want to replace the father, you just want a firm hand that is there to say no when you need it.

Good Luck!

-Abigale



Dear Abigale,

I just lost my twin boys and husband in the war, and my children and I are having trouble living without the money. And my youngest child, Sarah, at age 8, is having trouble without her older brothers, who used too look after her. What do I do to help her? And what should I do about my money crisis?

-Gladys, Washington, Maryland




Dear Gladys,

I am sorry for your loss. I am not sure how I can help solve your money crisis although you may find help from a neighbor. What your daughter needs is to have someone to talk to. She is young and she will need to get through this as soon as possible. Find a boy, a brother, cousin, or close family friend. She will need someone to talk to, and because she has formed a bond with a brother instead of a sister, she is most likely more comfortable around boys.

Again, I am sorry for your loss.

-Abigale



Dear Abigale,

We had just applied for a mill-hand, and when we went to pick the child out, we found a young boy around the same age as my daughter. Now my daughter is acting different and always around the southern boy. I feel like, because of my daughter, our new helper cannot focus, and not much work is getting done. What do I do?

-Catherine, Boston, Massachusetts




Dear Catherine,

It seems like your daughter finds an interest in this boy. But, this is unacceptable. This boy is from the south. He favors the Confederates and this would create a bad reputation for your family. Make sure that they are always chaperoned and never are alone together.

-Abigale


Dear Readers, Thank you for all of your wonderful letters! I look forward to getting more! -Abigale