Milford chronicle., 1941-11-28
M0 ME EDUCATION N
"The Child's First School is the
Family-FRoEBRL
Issued by the National Kindergarten
Association, West 40th Street,
New York City
FAMILY HOLIDAYS FOR LITTLE
ONES
Laura Gray

Laura gray
Il dread holidays" declared Mrs
Stone to her friend as the two chat
ted on Mrs. Stones front porch
mot that 1 don't enjoy feasting and
having relatives and friends stay
ing with us. It's little Billie and
Lois-they don't seem able to stand
it,"
Surely you don't let those tiny
tots take any real part in the feast
ing. do you?'
why not? They share like the
rest of us. We dine at seven instead
of, at noon-so that all the aunts
and uncles can get here The chill
dren eat everything we do and stay
up until they fall asleep and have
to be carried to bed. We like to
see them enjoy themselves-just
once year. But they are always
sick afterwards. The rich food, ex-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES too much
for them. Last Christmas it was
more than a week before they were
back to normal. But l don't know
what to do. about it. How do you
manager
MY Jack and Mona are only five
and four. 1 try not to have their
routine upset"
How do you mean?" asked Mrs. |
Stone eagerly.
ION the feast day, / give the
children their plain dinner at noon
as usual-unless we are having
ours at that time. Then just before
our dinner at six 1 call them into
the kitchen, for a simple supper,
and with a story, as usual, l put
them to bed"
"If did that the relatives would
be distressed" said Mrs. Stone, "I'd
never hear the last of my cruelty"
Her friend laughed. Il had to go
through that" she said. But 1 just
smiled sweetly and continued in my
own way. Bringing up these chill
dren is my Job. I've found that by
being firm and still sweet and tact
full, relatives always come round
to letting me do what think best.
They even respect my f1rmness. I'd
do it anyway-my children's well
fare is dearer to me than anything
else"
But don't children miss a lot if
hey are kept out of family feasts? I
Shouldn't they be allowed to eat
sick at least at Christ ]
mas time" asked Mrs. Stone.
"No. A weeks illness is too heavy
/ price to pay for one days sup
posed fun. They can enjoy the love
Zach friend and relative brings, de- I
light in Uncle's stories, treasure
gifts, and enter into the {
with zest, and on the
morning after jump up fresh and {
iappy. as children should, instead {
# feeling sick and miserable. The !
)retty table, and warm friendly at
nosphere mean more to a normal
.hild than actual eating does"
"Then you would shut little ones '
tut of the Christmas feast event"
drs. Stone spoke somewhat sadly. v
Surely not. And if the feasting
art of the day can be arranged to
uit the hildren-dinner at the
sual hour, with a check on too
luch excitement-Id be willing to
ct them join in, being very care n
ul how much and what they ate. p
hut that early scramble to see what
anita has left usually tires mine
ut, so l give them their dinner be- n
ore we have ours, even when we
inc at noon, and put them in p
pom to rest, with windows open. N
hey are quite ready for this nap"
81 believe you're right" said Mrs. Il
tone, thoughtfully. 1--WE imagine te
lat our pleasures are the chill "
ren's pleasures, but they are not" p