The management of young children was in the custody of women, mothers, and nurses. Women were supposed to be endowed with a "maternal instinct" which equipped them with the know-how for dealing with the immature child. There was a philosophical umbrella to protect the women in charge, if the child did not grow according to expectations. The most predominant aspect of childhood is growth. Growth means change, a constant flow of change. Consistency within the growth frame of reference means altering one's methods so that they are consistent with the developmental changes which have taken place in the child. The direction of growth during the early years is in the direction of the child's gaining ever more control over and conscious awareness of his own behavior. When a mother is armed with the skills of observation and interpretation then healthy child-parent relations are off to a good start.