Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-03-01
AMODEL PLAYROONI.
Some Good Suggestions For Making
Ch1Idho0d Happy.

Some Good Suggestions Fer Making
Chtldho0d Happy.
From womanl
"Well, just did not enjoy my visit there
one bit, for one of US had to hold baby ev
cry minute to keep her out Of mischief.
There ives not even an empty spool offered
her TO play with"
So said young mother to me awhile ago,
and it is fairly good text for the preach
ment of some notions as to duty owed to
even 'fother folks babies" We know very
WELL and have been amused sometimes at see-
ing how nervous people feel lest other folks
babies do damage to some of their posses
sions. Our little folks are very unfortunate
in always doing their worst when they are
most unwelcome, as most mothers can con-
TESS, and to mothers I confess I do not care
to work harder to get visit than l do at
home. 1t is good plan to take along few
favorite toys and picture books when going
where there are no children then let baby
find them for itself in the handbag and it is
tolerably sure to enjoy them and be content
There is enc caution in place right here. If
baby is not allowed to touch everything in
the home parlor it will not want to do so
away from home, and every mother can pro
vide her child with some half dozen light
toys or a picture book as its Ego visiting
toys" just she keeps special dress or
apron for state occasions.
Now the other side of the case. It is a
small matter, and as ''more evil is wrought
from want of thought than ever from want
of heart" q suggestion may be acceptable.
In every well regulated house there should
be box or basket, into which the house
keeper may toss picture almanacs, stump
of lead pencil, some large empty spools not
on string, but ball of string with them,
an empty spool box and few large odd but.
tons, bits of bright calico silk, and split
clothes pin or two, or, if she feels generous,
halt dozen good clothes pins, some adyer-
Using cards and an empty salt bag or even a
paper bag or two Then if child comes in
the whole lot can be set out without pang
to be used and abused at will all clean
things easily gathered up and tucked away
for the next time and not any the worse If
finger marked, or broken, or torn, for the di-
version of the next child. If time admits,
the clothes pins may be dressed in the calico
scraps aud make cunning dollies for baby
girls. Once basket is set apart for such a
purpose many odds and ends will find their
way into it. If You actually have nothing to
give child to amuse it an hour, it is worth
moments consideration, and a dozen corn
| cobs will do to begin with right away. A
raisin box makes good stool for child II
bit of carpet is neatly tackled over, it adds to
APPEARANCE anu VI IL ~ AaeaS 81 -AN~
| fitted over all the edges 1t may be used as q
place of deposit for the aforesaid traps as well
as for stool.
How have 1 always 1onged to build house
| in which one lower room could be set apart
for the children, where they could have a
long, low table for odd papers, and pencils
and States and books, and knives and tools
of all sorts in table drawers that should pull
out on one side for boys, the other side for
girls; a drawer for each child, and in it
| all their trash. Shelves around the walls
l for collections of things children admire and
Gull from the family refuse, comfortable
low chairs and lounges and cushions and
places for pet cats and dogs too. I should
| enjoy it as much as the little folks, but
cannot realize it, as the actual necessities
of life come first, and the little folks find
room somewhere and grow up and push
out into the great world to their life work
We so hope they may never find any
place where they can say greater enjoyment
is found than at home with their childish
plays.