Evening star., 1947-08-25
WHINING CHILD,

For Mrs. s. J. B., whose problem
Is how to cope with whining child
the whining having started since the
arrival of baby brother.
My son was born l3 months ago
AT that time my daughter became
years old. I am a registered nurse
and thought that knew all the pit.
falls.
My daughter looked forward tc
the arrival of a new baby and once
he was here she gladly helped me
to care for him. I was very careful
to see that she was not sighted
when we or others were admiring
the baby. All went. we'll until winter
set in. The bad weather necessi-
tated her staying indoors most OF
the time. Soon she was whining
somewhat, but most of all she was
constantly doing things that she
knew were wrong. (You are right
Spsnkings' are to no avail0 i knew
that this was just her way Of trying
to get my attention. Five rooms, a
family of four, coal fire to tend
and all my own washing by hand
kept me pretty busy and just could
not find any way to give her the
attention that she wanted. She
tired of doing anything alone. Her
constant misbehavior was making
me very irritable.
T, too, obtained child guidance
books. There was no cut and dried
answer to my problem but did
realize by reading these that after
all, she was just a little girl and
that / was expecting too much of
her. I reminded myself that there
are no problem children, only prob
lem parents. So, I turned over
new leaf, SO to speak.
AS soon as she'd awaken in the
morning I'd take her onto my lap
and I'd say things like well, look
who's here!" or who's this little
girl? Obi It's my Marie! I've
been waiting for you" Shed seen
me pick the baby up so many times
during the day, even If only when
necessary, and it pleased her to
have me hold her This started the
day of right for her and I'd do my
best to keep this mood for her. tTo
this day she looks forward to that
bit of interest and affection upon
awakening.) This did not make her
automatically the happy child that
she had been for it was tiresome
for her to play alone, but 1t did help
considerably.
The arrival of spring and then the
school vacation did the trick. Chill
dren to play with, just what she
needed. All children want to be
active. There can be no good sub
stitute for playmates. Now she Is
Just as cheerful as she can be all
the time. On rainy days she stays
in and plays with her brother and
has a good time.
If your youngster has playmates
and still whines when in the home
I would avoid petting and showing
affection when she is whining. for
this would naturally make her whine
to get this affection. Instead, show
this affection f1rsN before she has
a chance to whine for it. If you
make it obvious to her that you're
always glad to see her and are quick>
to welcome her I don't think that
she'll find any need to whine. 1t
may take months to win her over, |
but you'll have a serene home again.
Good luck!
LOCATING HERBS.
(From Mrs. S. M. S., Arltngton) !
For Mr.. j. L. T., Takoma Park.
Seeing nc answer to your request
concerning herbs. may suggest the
following addresses, from which you
could receive help. The Herb So
ciety of America Horticultural Hall,
Boston, Mass. Miss Elizabeth Hall
librarian, the New York Botanical
Garden, Bronx Park, New York.
There's also Weathered Oak Herb
Farm at Bethesda, Md, If it is still
being operated, of which I am not
sure. A lovely spot.
I had bergamot, but it vanished.
The Cathedral gardener told me
theirs had done the same. They
had dittany early in the season and
rue, for I bought some. also
Costmary.
Will be glad to share some if my
plants spread bit more.
x y
OLD EYEGLASSES:
HEATING FOOD WHEN
TRAVELLING.
from Mrs. w. T. M, Washington
In answer to N. J. S., Washington,
If she will send old eyeglasses to Mrs.
Alice Terry, Far Hills, New Jersey,
they will be very much appreciated.
Mrs. Terry collects old glasses and
the usable parts are salvaged and
made into glasses for charity cases.
I also want to suggest to people
travelling with a small child the
Idea of heating baby food and even
~kx an -