The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-02
Teach the Children to be, Neat.


Teach the Children TO be Neat.
Systematic neatness is an attribute
every mother should strive to impress
on her children from infancy. She
should be neat with them while they
are too young to act for themselves,
and as they grow older should require
them to he so. Beginning thus early,
her task is not half so difficult as if
she had waited until they formed unit
dy and careless habits which are so
hard to eradicate.
They should be thoroughly washed,
not merely bathed, once a day at least,
and the best time for this is at night I
think, while they are so small as to re-
ouire the mother to do it as she has
then, generally, more time and the lit
tie ones sleep better for the bathing
and rubbing. The clothes should be
taken apart and hung carefully and
smoothly on a chair or clothes-horse,
in order they are to be put on, to all
next morning. AS soon as they can
walk, let them do this for themselves
place their shoes, too, near by and
hang stockings with the rest of the
clothing, never turn them ready for
putting on or roll them over each 9TH
er, as there is always more or less
dampness about child's foot and the
stocking should be left open to air and
dry. .
When they are old enough to trust
the duty Of washing themselves, give
them their own towels and rags sepa'
rate ones for each "a knitted square OF
cotton is excellent for this purpose),
and see to it every day that the skin is
first washed clean by free use of soap
and water, and then rubbed briskly
with the towel until gentle glow is
produced. BY this means the pores
are kept open which act as drains to
carry off the natural oil and secretions
of the system, and in this way, too,
you will prevent the child from being
disfigured by those unslghtly and dis
gusting black heads, which are so diff
fcult to get rid of.
In this connection I would like to
say, if they either inherit or show any
tendency to weak lungs, there is moth
ing better to strengthen them to bathe
the chest and shoulders with cold wa
ter every morning after the washing
is done, no matter how low the mer-
curry may be. Of course, though, 1t
should he done in q warm room and
the child thoroughly dried and rubbed
afterwards.
Never neglect the hair; keep the
scalp clean by frequent washing, and
the hair fresh and glossy by much
brushing, which is to hair what rub
bing is to the complexion.
The teeth should be give special care
from the time they begin to come
Don't wait for the full set but keep
even the few washed free of milk
curbs and crumbs, and provide the lit
tie ones of five or six with toothbrush
to suit the tiny mouth, her own piece
of CASTLE soap and bottle of powder.
1t is universally conceded now that
this care of the first teeth is of great
benefit to the second set, and any fea-
ture which adds to and contracts from,
as do the teeth, cannot receive too
much attention.
Inculate perfect neatness in dress.
Material for children's clothing is
now so cheap, there can be no excuse
for keeping the babies in soiled dresses,
and by the use of bibs and aprons, and
the careful teaching of avoiding un-
necessary dirt, there will be, as they
get old enough to understand, less
need for many changes.