Evening star., 1946-05-23

a cardboard box by the time the
alarm rings. Have these toys only
for rainy days, so they don't lose
their flavor.
also make the children sit on the
back steps and dump the sand from
their shoes before they bring it in
the house. A well-equipped, fenced
in back yard will be as good as a
nursemaid for hours this summer,
also keep them from under your
feet while you do your daily house.
work.
I found it helped me most to have
the hired help do all washing and
ironing. Washing one day a week,
and ironing the other, then clean
ing bath and woodwork in any spare
time. You will be surprised with a
little training, how many things your
S and year olds can do. BY max
ing row of hooks low in the closet,
they can hang up their nighties and
clothes and how much bending it
saves you!
hope some of these are new ideas
for you, and I say again, make
living as simple as possible until
they grow old enough to help you,
but train them young to help; 1t
teaches them responsibility.
Good luck to you and remember
your health is paramount.
from Mrs. W. II. O., Arlington.)
To Mrs. A. r. R.: Most mothers
of young children can sympathize
with you, who feel you are giving
way under the strain of baby-tend-
ing. Many times we fail to see the
woods for the trees; we fail to real
ize what fun and joy large family
Is, after the physical strain Of the
early years is over. We should first
OF all maintain happy atmosphere
The house need not and cannot be
kept spotless. Let the work which
is done by the day-worker suffice for
the week, except for dishwashing,
bed making and occasional straight
ening. If the budget will permit, I
would suggest having diaper serv-
ice and the wash sent out. Buy only
clothing for the children that needs
no ironing, sandals which do not
require wearing socks The older
ones will get pleasure from empty
ing ash trays and the garbage, set
ting the table, etc. These things
may not be done perfectly, but they
can be made to feel that they are
helping. Don't make your house
work seem like deadly chore. I
think many disgruntled housewives
are the product of mothers who OBJ
viouSly did not enjoy their work.
Try to get all the children on the
same nap schedule, and make your
self rest while at that time, too
The older ones may only 60 to their
rooms for quiet hour, but I think
they, as well as you, need it. Maybe
If daddy was made to realize the
strain under which you are labor
ing, he would be glad to take over
the children for a half hour before
dinner with books, blocks, etc, and
let you prepare dinner more easily.
Some one wrote in recently about
discipline. 1t has been my expert
ence after having two young chill
dren, that discipline should not be
dwelt on as such. If, by compari-
son with other children of the same
age, your child demonstrates no
outstanding bad habits of conduct,
time alone will erase your current
problems. With each age, a new set
of behavior, habits, present them
selves. I think that all normal
child needs is an abundance of af-
fection, plus gentle but firm hand.
Mrs. R. L. H: My experience
with baby -sitters is that they expect
IS cents an hour, some less. Prac-
tical nurses, as rule, expect so
cents per hour.