Evening star., 1946-05-10
Readers Clearing House

good change for her physically, but
I am worried about the homesick-
ness phase of the situation. If any
of the other mothers who read the
column have had experience with
such a problem I would appreciate
their remarks. Does the homesick-
ness if any pass quickly, or is
the child apt to be miserable for
the entire camping season if once
started unhappily?
X X X
DANGER!
From Mrs. N. NJ, Washington
In reference to the article by Mrs.
N. M. Mel, Washington, May 7.
1 read in The Star some time ago
that a woman cleaning clothes with
cleaning fluid in a washing ma
chine not only lost her life, but the
washing machine was blown through
the side of the house, leaving a big
gap in the house.
PLAYPEN;
HAND SAVERS?
From Mrs. X. j., WaShington.)
Thanks to the correspondent who
wrote in detail about the electric
dishwasher! Also, many thanks to
the mother who suggested piece of
waterproof material as a diaper
backing.
Playpen Suggestions-New moth
ers may solve the playpen problem
by accustoming their youngsters to
the pen before they move around,
l. E., at about the age of four months
or as soon as they begin to stay
awake more.
Care Of Hands, have a skin
condition which necessitates keep
ing my hands out of dirt and away
from water as much as possible.
Two aids I've found are a brush for
washing dishes (more efficient than
a dish mop and short handled,
treated mop for busting. Rubber
gloves irritate the skin. Does any
one have other THANKSGIVING" sug-
geStionS?
From E. G. c., Greenbelt, Md
To Mrs. M. r. B., Mount Rainier:
II this mother will refer to the book,
THE Nursery Years." by Susan
Isaccs, I am sure she will see what
she is doing by letting a baby cry for
such a long time and submitting the
child to a condition that for some
reason distresses her. From my
own experience, I can't see the need
for a pen at that age. My third
baby is seven months and I don't
intend putting her in a pen until
she crawls considerably and then
only for short periods of time when
I cannot watch her to keep her from
hurting herself.
My baby plays on folded quilt
on the floor for 20 to 80 minutes at
a time after meals, then she sits in
a highchair or bassinet or in the
carriage outside. AS soon as she
begins to fuss, change her position
and toys and in the meantime talk
to her from whatever I am doing.
She sleeps three-hour nap in the
morning and two to three in the
afternoon and sleeps all night. Her
play periods are stimulating enough
so that she goes right to sleep with
no fuSsing or crying.
My three were all started out on
the folded quilt on the floor and
graduated to the playpen with no
difficulty would advise this moth
er to try this method of overcoming
the problem she seems to be having.
When she puts the baby down (she
could use the playpen pad at first
she should sit down near her on the
floor with some sewing. reading OF
just talking to the baby. The first
time should be very short and the
period heightened each day but with
mother staying nearby and singing
or talking to her frequently. 1t will
take some time to undo the damage
done but it must be done. BY the
time she really needs the pen for
safety, she probably won't object at
all and she will be more able to en-
tertain herself with toys then, so
won't mind if you aren't right at
her side continually.
X X * u
NYLON HOSE.
From Mrs. H. M. c., Washington
May I give Mrs. E. S., Rosenvllle,
Va, the benefit, if any, of my expert
ence in keeping nylon hose? At the
beginning of the war, had four
pairs, which lasted until 1916 II
wore them constantly. They were
kept in the dresser drawer just as
they came from the store and the
last pair, which 1 started wearing
just a little over year ago was just
as good as the first pair Because of
it's resistance to the elements, mil
lions of yards of the nylon yarn
were used during the war for screen
ing in the South Pacific Islands in
stead of wire mesh, which was found
to rust and corrode in the tropics,