The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-07
Points
FOR
Mothers
individuality In children's Clothes.


The aim of every fastidious mother
is to dress her chile simply and in a
becoming manner. Her clothes should
be a part Of her and not obtrude them
selves. Some mothers think that II the
child takes too much interest in her
clothes she will become self conscious.
On the other hand, the child who
knows that she is appropriately dress
ed, as rule, forgets entirely about
herself and her frock. and it becomes
as much part Of her as her hair.
The growing mind Of The child is
very sensitive to impressions, and if
she learns early in life the cardinal
principles Of good dressmaking 1t will
be as easy and as natural for her to
apply them as she grows up as any Of
the other lessons Of life.
Sensitiveness to Color.
Some children are very sensitive to
color. They take strong prejudice to
certain colors. A red gown on a very
high strung girl has been known to
bring on a degree of excitement which
frequently resulted in tSntrums, while
frock Of more pleasing color would
instantly soothe and quiet her. This is,
of course, an extreme case, but there
are more children than mothers realize
who suffer cruelty from being compel
led to wear clothes which in color and
style are distasteful to them. Instead
of trying to force the child to wear
these clothes as q matter of training,
the situation should be studied and the
reason found for the child's objection.
Child Must Be Considered.
1t takes, as a rule, such little time
and so short an explanation to get the
child's point of view that 1t is pity
many mothers go ahead and order
their children's clothes without a
thought Of the individuality Of the
wearer, for children are so set in their
ideas that they will not listen to rea-
son and will not be guided by their
mothers Judgment, but it is necessary
for them to feel that the mother Is q
competent guide. In these days, when
the whole system of teaching in the
schools is to bring out the individuality
of the child, it is not surprising that
the girl, even before she enters her
teens, may feel competent to question
just how much mother does know
about the right clothes for her. 1t is
necessary for the mother of today to
study the clothes problem as it pre-
sents itself for her child. She will find
that it is not the least of the problems
which confront her, nor can it be solv.
ed offhand at minutes notice The
day when one dress could be passed
down the line from one youngster to
another is over. The manufacturer as
parture, for few of the present day
fabrics will Withstand more than
seasons wear and tear.
If the mother is to guide her child in
the selection of becoming and appro-
pirate clothing she will teach her to
study herself. The designers Of chill
dren's clothing are quite ready to help
the perplexed mother by offering her
gowns and coats and hats of many
styles, almost as varied as those for
older folk. The mother who selects
successfully the costumes most appro-
pirate for her daughter will cast aside
her own preferences. She may de-
light In the fascinating Kate Green
away gowns and coats, but unless her
girl is of picturesque type she will
be wise to pass them by.
The Awkward Child.
The robust, tall, awkward child who
promises to be a fine looking woman,
but who in her early teens is the de-
spair Of many mothers, would look
ridiculous in a Kate Greenaway frock,
whereas she would forget her awk-
wardness in we'll cut Russian blouse,
where the low waist line would detract
from her height. Just as there are wo.
men who always look well in severe
costumes, so there are children who
have a certain style in the simplest of
costumes and who become wholly COM
monplace in appearance the minute
they are dressed up in frills and furbe-
lows. 1t is far better to dress a girl of
this type in a plain little frock of soft
woolen or cashmere, If a wash mate
rial is not desired, than in frock deco
rated with lace and embroidery, with
ruffles and shirrings. On the other
hand, there are children who are fairly
irresistible in dainty muslin frocks be-
ribboned and beruffled.
What a Yawn Tells.
When children bite their nails this