SEA BATHING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18896, 19 December 1924, Page 14

SEA BATHING.

One of the jolliest parts of summer is the bathing—that is, of course if you are a person who likes to bathe. If it does not suit you, tho only sensiblo thing to do is to give it up. Some brave souls seem to believe that if they persevere they may become used to it, and in time even grow to itko it, but it is not necessarily so. If, after bathing, you can't get warm, or you feel heavy, languid, and miserable all day, it is obvious that plunging into cold water does not agree with you, and you will ho far better to stay warm and dry on land. For those who can come out of the water warm and fresh and brisk, the bathe is often the very best part of the whole holiday. There are some people, though, who seem to think that bathing is a sacred duty which must not' be omitted by anyono whilst at the seaside. This belief does not matter much if it does not extend to tho children of the family, but one does feel so very sorry when children are made to bathe against their wills. In the old days it used to be considered good for children to be driven into the water, whether they wanted to go or not. It is really very foolish to make what should be a sheer joy a real terror, and it will generally be found that harshness in this line defeats its own ends. Somo children are so sturdy that nothing frightens them, and they can even stand being flung out of a boat and taught to swim like littlo dogs. But a sensitive child never gets over its first fears, if it is once thoroughly frightened. It should be. taken into the sea gently, not ducked, and not oven splashed until it is used to the water, and feels quite safe; and never should it have tricks played on it' until it feels enough at home in the water to be able to retaliate. When it once has confidence in itself and in the people with whom it is bathing, it will begin to enjoy being in the water, and then one of the pleasantest ports of summer holidays will bo open before it. To bathe, and to enjoy it. is real bliss, as all know who have done it. And the more voit like it yourself, the less will you want, to spoil tho pleasure for others—especially the children.