MAUDERN TIMES - “Boys Will Be Buoys”

By Brian Case

L.M. Montgomery was “buoyed” with pleasure when she announced the birth of her first son, Chester, in 1912 and then her third child, Stuart, in 1915. (Baby Hugh died at childbirth in 1914).

A hundred years ago there were no cell phones, video games, TV sets, and few rich celebrities for children to emulate. In short, there seemed far fewer external distractions for young people. So, was raising children and teenagers a lot easier in the 1920’s than in the 2020’s?

In terms of disciplining teenagers, Maud was basically a “single mother.” Her husband, the Reverend Ewan Macdonald, seemed incapable of relating to his sons in a consistently firm manner. Being the sons of the minister, Chester and Stuart were often targets for local gossip.

Buoys are built to float on water; sometimes, waves and currents can pull them below the surface. And so it was with Maud in post-World War 1 Ontario.

Chester, her eldest, would float along and yet be pulled under by many teenage challenges. Academic studies came easily to him, but at times, he failed. Maud often felt he didn’t try very hard. He would sulk when she reproached him. At age sixteen, he learned to drive a car and was only too happy to motor his parents or others around. He drove to P.E.I with a friend in the summer of 1930, to the great consternation of his mother.

Enrolled at Knox College (U of T) at age 18, Chester was easily distracted by the social adventures of being on his own in the big city. Consequently, he did not pass his first year.

Maud believed her boys should decide for themselves what career course they might take and worried, “Yet they might decide wrongly.” (1927). She also felt her teenagers should be occupied throughout the summer and arranged job opportunities for them. Unfortunately, Chester seemed disinterested or physically unable to keep a summer job. Still, Maud was “buoyed” with hope when he improved his grades and was apologetic for his failures.

Stuart’s craft floated much more freely. Able to “go with the current,” he was an open, loving son. He cooked, occasionally helped with housework, and organized Christmas festivities. Maud frequently stated how much he cheered her up. Throughout his teens, Stuart achieved very good marks and was an excellent athlete. He won the Parallel Bar Championship of Ontario, a silver medal in the Canadian Gymnastics Championship, and took the gold at the Canadian National Exhibition Canadian Championship. He finished his final year at St. Andrews College with the top grade!

In September 1932, Maud wrote, “What a serious business it is, this of getting two boys started in the world.”

Does Maud’s worrying reflect that of today’s parents, one hundred years later? Is raising a teenager even more challenging today? Well, boys can be buoys!

Happy Mother’s Day!