MOTHER AND HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17190, 6 November 1923, Page 11 (Supplement)

MOTHER AND HOME.

The Water Cure. Have vou tried the water rim? Well, it is one of the simplest and at the same time most etfective beauty treatments, beloved of American beauty specialists. Patients j practising this euro arc reminded by ; their doctors that water forms a verv j large part ),f the human body, ami I that by dienking large quantities ot ; cold water the tissues can be renewed I again and again, preventing the dread signs of old age appearing. So why try monkey glands? Water is certainly less expensive 1 Destroy Your Old Letters. —Alost of us will adfnit that even the stoniest hearted destroyer of scraps of paper hesitates to tear up some private letters. But discretion should be exorcised. It is always a safe plan to destroy anything the least bit indiscreet. and a sensible one to clear out trivial stuff, from acquaintances, regularly and at short intervals. The best letters of all you can put away, keeping a little separate nook for each friend. That’s to say if you are lucks enough to have a desk of your own with pigeon holes. If not, rubber or ribbon eiestic bands are as good a.s anything, or say, utilise a set of envelopes covering each correspondent. As for the very dearest bundle of all, well, have a little painted wooden chest with a, tiny lock and key. Pram Exercises.—-A lying-down position is always best for pram outings as long as babs will consent to it ; and it’s wonderful how long a child will take to this position as a matter of course, if you don’t begin propping it up whenever it seems a bit restless. When baby is being wheeled along the streets, it is much better to use these outings as an opportunity for resting baby’s spine, than as a chance to “ show him off ” in a sitting-up position. Let him kick and wave his arms about to his heart’s content, but if he’ll be good lying down, never sit him up. When pram Gets Too Small.——lf your baby is a very big one, and the pram gets rather small for him by the time lie’s two years old, or even younger, don’t make him take his midday sleep in it; let him lie on the grass if the weather be favourable, if not, put him on the hearth rug. Money in Teas. —3lany girls have taken to running “ tea cottages” during the summer months. One writer says my “tea cottage” sprang into being when 1 was obliged to leave my work in a city office, and go in search of pure country air. Naturally, 1 realised that m order to keep going l must do something, and there is no doubt that a country tea cottage run on picturesque lines can be most successful. It is necessary, of course, to possess a certain amount of capital, for there is not only the initial oxpense of starting; the cottage, but- there is also the problem om how to live until tlic business begins to bring in a small profit. Indeed, it would be unwise to commence a cottage of this kind unless one hase something at one’s back. A good nest egg to fall back upon ii» times of want, and enough money for at least one full year, is very necessary’ until one finds one’s feet. Children and Ridicule.—lt is not wise to allow children to grow up too serious-minded. They must learn to bear ridicule, they must develop a sense of humour. Bring them sufficiently into contact with other children and the corners will be rubbed off in the natural way. Let them read wholesomely humorous books ; let them have as much fnn and frolic as is reasonably possible. Happy laughter is to the mind what fresh air is to the body. Alway s laugh with and not at him! Rest for the Child.—When in the fresh air it is just as important for baby to be lying full length and at ease as it. is for him to be ” getting the air.” and if , you can’t- manage both, then let him sleep in his cot with the windows well open. He’ll have a far more peaceful rest, especially in the warm weather This midday rest should he kept up until four or five years old ; as time goes on, the child may not go to sleep, but ho should be given a picture book and made to lie down just the same. Perhaps you will sometimes have leisure to road to him, or practise your music. or singing, while he rests. Most children intensely dislike having to lie down part of the day, but even if it's only for twenty minutes, it does good work for the spine,