The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-19
HOmely Hints.

Acting on the advice of we'll known
contributor of Good Housekeeping
we opened the children's underwaists
in front, and they soon learned to dress
themselve with very little help, ant
even to button their own shoes. Bu1
after the novelty wore off came the tug
Of war. 1t was often found easier tc
pick up q child and dress it entirely
than coax persistently, and watch tc
see that it was done. Fortunately this
course was not continued, and, aftel
firmly insisting for few mornings
that each should dress himself as fal
as he was able, it soon grew to be al
easy duty which none thought Of
striking. A kiss and a hug from
mamma proved q sufficient reward
1t is wonderful the amount of hell
one child can be to a busy woman.
ifonly he is properly taught. Little
duties, early assumed, make greater
ones to follow easier of accomplish
ment. But if you intend to teach
your children to put away their cloth
ing or toys, provide places and insist
upon their being put there. And don't
vie Id to them, as you will many times
be tempted to do, when they complain
that they "don't feel like it," If you
@keepa dampwash-rag on low nail in
the bathroom, there will be no necces'
ity for you to drop all your work tc
wipe Georges fingers after heI has fin
@ished his fruit.
Most children will enjoy brushing
their own teeth. Just here let us offer
word of advice. Begin when your
baby is eighteen months old to clean
his tiny teeth, and keep it up as regur-
larly as you do your own. Dentists
will tell you this is none too early
that the second set will be all the
sounder, and besides, the children will
bespared much suffering from tooth,
ache.
Teach the children to be careful OF
their playthings. The time to have
them put away is when they begin to
kick them about. Don't have them all
out at the same time. Hide a few for a
week. We confess we could not have
held out as did a friend ofours in
teaching her little girl care with her
playthings. She took away box OF
dishes, just after Christmas, for one
whole month, on account of the care
less breaking of three plates. Thislit-
tie Annie keeps her toys and hand
some picture books from one years end
oanother, as result of this lesson.
And don't forget one thing more
teach the baby to sing. There are so
many merry jingles for children now
adsys. They can often catch the tune
of your lullaby, as they close their
tired eyes in sleep. Some primary
teacher will gladly give you her school
songs, or you can get some kindergar-
ten plays. TheSt. Nicholas collection
of songs contains bright, sparkling
melodies, for children of all ages.
Remember, too, the Sunday-school
songs. You will be rested some day
when the young folks place the chairs
in a row, open books and sing in child
ish joy as they "play church" like
grown people.
Now, in fact of all these hints for
>ehildren's pleasure, one word of eau
ton must be added don't lo too mauch
Don'tget them into the habit of al
ways depending upon you for enter
tainment, or of throwing themselves
upon your hands as soon as one toy
ceaser to please. Teach them self-reli.
ance. Let them alone when they are
good. Let them sit down in their lit
tie rockers, and indulge in some orig
inal baby reflection. Solitude is as
good for them as for you.-Good House
keeping.