MOTHER AND HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16542, 28 September 1921, Page 9

MOTHER AND HOME.

There are many suspicions that need crushing in the hud. AA o fancy that our friend is cool to us; we imagine that someone has slighted us; we suspect our neighbour of having spoken ill of us. Most likely wo are mistaken, and, in any case, we could never profitably search into the matter. Out trust in our friend or our own selfrespect should lead us to put away all such thoughts, to abandon such suspicions. Someone has, perhaps, dropped a poisoned word or scandal into our ears. Let us banish it from our thoughts with scorn. Circumstances may tend to cast suspicion on one whom we honour. Let us continue to trust her in our heart of hearts. Unwelcome Ideas—We may fear that someone has committed a fault which, however, does not concern us in the least, and in which we are not called upon to interfere- Let us expel the idea as an unwelcome intruder. In one of these ways every suspicion may be rightly dealt with. If as a warning it has a mission to perform it will do its work; if it is an unworthy or an idle conjecture it will be dismissed, in either case it will pass away, as all suspicions must do. As transient guests of the mind, they may be useful in establishing the innocence which should be brought to light, or in proving the guilt which should be purged away But as permanent inmates of the mi- i their influence is most pernicious. Afternoon Rest.—The necessity ot a i est-hour for a busy mother and housekeeper cannot be too strongly insisted upon. All other women are apt vo take this rest except the woman whose “ work is never done,” and who needs it the most of all- It is not necessary to take a full hour’s rest, but as much time as this should b© allowed m the early afternoon after the work of the dinner is over, for the simple object of resting. The habit should be acquired of going to one’s room and of shutting out th© outside world as much as possible, together with all worldly care and worrv. Curative Sleep—Bathe the temples, loosen the dress, and if possible, put on a loose wrapper and lie down- Sleep may not come at once, but the habit is soon acquired, and in a short time the tired woman who adopts this remedy will fall asleep almost as soon as she touches the pillow. Even if her enforced nap does not last over half an hour, no period of sleep in the twentyfour hours covering the same amount i of time will be so refreshing or give so much rest to tired brain and muscle. Keep a Healthy Child.—Twice a day, in very hot weather, the whole surface of the body should be sponged with water at a temperature of BOdeg. Fahr., and afterwards dried by gently rubbing. Car© should be taken to wet the child's head first, and to see that it is not in a direct current of air. The following rules are excellent: 1. Bathe the child in lukewarm water. 2. Avoid all tight bandaging. Have light flannel as the inner garment, and tho rest of the clothing light and cool, and so loose that the child may have free play for its limbs At night undress, sponge, and put on the usual sleeping dress- In the morning remove the night clothing, batlio the child, and dress in clean clothes* Use clean diapers, and change often. Never dry a soiled one in the room in which the child is, and never use on© for the second time without washing it. Teach Regular Hours.—The child should sleep by itself in a cot or cradle. It should b© put to bed at regular hours, and be taught to go to sleep without being nursed or rocked. 'Without the advice of a physician never give spirits, carminatives, soothing syrups, or sleeping doses. Thousands of children die every year from the use of these poisons. If the child frets and does not sleep, it is either hungry or else ill, and the mother should take a doctor’s advice as to the best treatment to follow.

Nail-Biting.—Nervous and highlystrung children often develop this very distressing habit, and unless cured at the start it will be very difficult to eradicate. Mother or nurse should keep the nails neatly trimmed and fairly short, and the child should be watched. It is a good plan to paint the nails with some harmless bitter lotion such as quinine, as this will often arrest the child when he is tempted to pursue the practice. If there are painful hang-nails, these will often lead to th© practice of nail-biting. A daily rubbing with a little vaseline or cold cream will help considerably to keej) the nails in good condition. Swallowed Buttons.—When solid articles, such as buttons or beads, have been swallowed, on no account give the child an emetic. Send for the doctor, give the little patient buns or bread and butter, and induce him to eat. The dangerous article mav thus become embedded without injury to tho digestive tractMaking Milk “Safe.”—Baby's bottles. jugs, etc., must be kept absolutely clean. Two white jugs, two bottles, and sin enamel basin will be required. The food should be made morning and afternoon, as soon as the fresh milk comes in. and unless one can be sure that the milk supply is safe and pure the milk should be pasteurised a double enamel saucepan is required for this. The lower not holds water, and the milk is placed in the upper pan or pot. In this way the milk never boils, but is kept at a temperature just below boiling point for twenty minutes, thus destroying harmful germs. Animal Making.—A capital amusement for a wet day is to get a number of very small potatoes, a few feathers, some used matches and bits of fur and cotton wool. Quaint and most grotesque animals find birds can be made out of these strange oddments, using the potatoes as bodies, the matches as legs, and the feathers and cotton wool for tails and covering. Bits of horsehair and other oddments will make most •charming creatures; fretful children can be kept amused for hours together with such devices.