When I meet a human face,
Lit for me with light divine,
I recall all loving eyes,
That have ever answered mine.
--Phoebe Cary.
The Art of Entertaining Children.--Entertaining convalescent children is
quite an art in itself. Nurses who expect to make a specialty of caring
for children sometimes take a brief course in kindergarten work, and
certainly such knowledge is a valuable asset. Quiet games that do not call
for too much exertion, paper-doll plays, the ever-delightful "cutting out"
of pictures or fashion book people, making scrap books for children's
hospitals and simple knitting or crocheting all help to amuse the little
folk. Almost all children enjoy being read to, but care must be taken not
to select stories that will depress the child or so excite him as to keep
him awake at night or cause unpleasant dreams.
Tireless Talkers.--A sick man that gets talking about himself, a woman
that gets talking about her baby, and an author that begins reading out of
his own book, never know when to stop.--O. W. Holmes.
Unselfishness.--Unselfishness is the key of a happy and beautiful life,
and this is one of the first things that should be taught to the little
one, says a writer in The Woman Beautiful. Insist upon her sharing her
pleasures, even at a great sacrifice with other children. One mother whom
I know has trained her baby to extend an entire box of bon-bons to her
little friends with the words "Hop yourself," and she does this with a
charm and spontaneity which makes her irresistible.
[NURSERY HINTS AND FIRESIDE GEMS 807]
A Cheerful Giver.--We should give as we would receive, cheerfully,
quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that
sticks to the fingers.--Seneca.
Indulgence.--It takes far more than the mere mother love to bring up
children. It takes training, study, knowledge, says the New York Tribune.
It takes self-control in the parents themselves. The mother who spoils a
child through weak indulgence does not truly love her child. She loves her
own pleasures in going along the line of least resistance.
Selfishness.--When parents spoil their children, it is less to please them
than to please themselves. It is the egotism of parental love.--Carlyle.
Method.--Now that school days are here, mark umbrellas by writing name on
muslin with ink and sewing to inside of top with black thread; overshoes
and rubbers by writing name on the lining, and handkerchiefs by writing
name across the center with ink.
System.--Marshal thy notions into a handsome method. One will carry twice
more weight packed up in bundles, than when it lies flapping and hanging
about his shoulders.--Fuller.
Baby's Meals.--To make a healthy baby of eighteen or twenty months wait
for the meal times of adults before feeding, is putting too great a strain
on the little system. Its diet should be adapted to its needs, says a
careful mother. Five light feedings are much more scientific, the first at
about six-thirty in the morning since baby keeps early hours. Milk and
toast should be given at this time. At ten-thirty a. m., well cooked and
well strained cereal might be served with rich milk. Cream is for older
children. Stewed prunes, baked apples, and oranges are also good. Dinner
at one-thirty might include meat broth, or soft boiled eggs, and bread and
toast. Soups must be free from grease. Crackers or toast with a cup of
milk should be served for the five o'clock supper, and another cup of milk
at bedtime.
Forbearance.--There is a limit at which forbearance ceases to be a
virtue.--Burke.
The Romper.--The romper has become an essential part of the young child's
wardrobe. They are developed mostly in linen, galatea, and less
expensively still in chambray. The best colors are dark blue, brown,
green, tan and natural colored linen; green perhaps is best for summer. It
is cool looking and it does not show grass stains. Short flowing sleeves
are most satisfactory.
[808 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]