Milford chronicle., 1938-06-17
REIGHBORING WITH LITTLE
CHILDREN
NJ. Lonise @. Hastlngs

NJ LOuiSt u. IldoAAlSb
Neighboring is geeting to be a lost
art in city life. Today we live in a
few rooms in some huge apartment
house, and seldom do we know ouI
next-dOOr neighbOr. This has an un-
fortunate effect upon our children
Country life offers opportunities to
drop in," to do little things for
others; there we have certain i'm
piled obligations that are delightful.
Community life in the suburbs of
large cities also offers ways of be-
ing friendly. But why can't we who
live in apartments do something to
bring into our children's lives the
spirit of an ideal country village
where neighboring is a lovely thing
that keeps the heart glowing?
Gardens help in their season. II
there is no ground to spare outside.
then inside, or If there is no sun
shine inside, then perhaps room for
at least a small box can be found OF
the roof In any case a basket of
fresh growing pansies may be
bought, picked by the children and
shared with their friends. If there
is room. friendship garden" out
of which comes flowers and vege-
tables, not to be used at home but
to be given to acquaintances, is an
unfailing help to neighboring.
Another. is to let the children as
sist in making cookies. 1t is such
fun for them to give some to the
mail carrier, to take a bag to the
traffic policeman at the corner and
to pack a tin box for Father to take
to his Office and pass around to his
associates.
/ recall a mother who said in my
hearing. Each month we are going
to remember somebody's birthday"
AS the family was small. this meant
including neighbOrs. Some times in
May the children made several May
Day baskets for shut-ins. At Thanks !
giving they expected to share their
good things with persons less fortu-
nate. Christmas always means do
ing little things for others besides !,
the family. It was benuine pleasure
for them to make their own valen-
tines and send them off to distant
relatives and nearby acquaintances.
Letters are always delightful, even
though the ones who receive them
may live in the next apartment.
When people are Obliged to remain
at home the ring of the postman is
always an event, whether they are
FIVE years old or seventy-five.
The telephone is another means of
happy greetings. shall I
call Mrs. Rice and wish her a happy
1ay?" once heard a little child who
was enjoying the art of telephoning
say to her mother. How much often
er this might be done if we only
realized the joy it would bring.
Often on New Years Day at our
home we call up friends of all ages
md wish them a Happy New Year.
When children see and hear their
doing things. of this kind,
hey usually wish to do the same,
md so 1t becomes a character-build- :,
ng project without any planning. 1t
las long been our custom to pre- :;
lare a list every month of those we J.
hink would be made happier by
earring from us. Our little girls see i
o 1t that at least card or telephone :
Message is sent to each one on the q,
list.
"BObby's aunt is getting we'll, and =
m going to send her a card and ,
I'll her I'm glad" announced a little Z
Oy one day. But do you know herr" .
is mother asked. '"No. but Bobby
oes," was the quick reply. and he \
ent the card. :