MOTHER CRAFT

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 February 1923, Page 32

MOTHER CRAFT

FEEDING CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE THE vital importance of feeding young people of between the ages of twelve and eighteen years both rightly and well cannot be overestimated. It is at this very critical age that development is very rapid, and sufficient and suitable food is of such importance that the matter cannot be too carefully studied. By “rightly and well’ is meant not only to provide menus with the correct food values, but also food that the children will relish, for a satisfied child is generally the well-nour-ished one, and the one who best assimilates the food. Emphasis must of course be laid on the foods carrying substances of growth, such as milk, eggs, cereal, a certain proportion of meat, poultry and fish, fruits and vegetables, with plenty of pure water to drink at all times. Avoid highly spiced foods and made dishes, rich sauces and gravies, and constant serving of hot breads. Girls at this period should have plenty of food rich in iron or bloodmaking foods. Spinach, grapes, egg yolks, raisins and prunes are all rich in iron, and should be furnished generously. Meats also play an important part, and milk and whole wheat are fundamentals. Don’t Forget the Sweets Minimise pic, tarts and pastry in the menus, also heavy puddings and dumplings, which are a tax on the strongest digestion, but on the other hand give particular attention to wholesome, simple desserts and remember that to the growing boy or girl dessert is always spelled with a capital letter and forms the principal course of the meal. This is right in a certain sense, as children need sweets in some form as energy foods. Be careful, however, that they do get it in the right form and at the right time, as this will cut down on the purchase of cheap sweets and ice cream. Desserts Are Important Desserts may also be the means of materially increasing the food value of a meal,’ which is perhaps sketchy in other particulars. Cereal, bread, tapioca, rice, gelatine, corn-starch and other preparations when made with fruit, eggs, milk, and garnished with

sweetened whipped cream or a sweet sauce, may camouflage any number of calories without the children having any idea that they are being fed a scientific diet. The Breakfast Bogey Breakfast is perhaps the hardest meal with which to contend, as the young people are apt to be hurried and more intent on getting off to school than on eating. Fruit, a good cooked cereal with "top of the milk,” whole wheat bread and butter with milk, coffee or cocoa, form a perfect meal with which to begin a strenuous day’s work. But. again, all children will not eat this. Sometimes a little relish in the way of broiled, crisp bacon or smoked or fresh fish will help along wonderfully. If cereal is not liked when served “as itself” add a few chopped nuts, raisins or shredded dates and top the portion with a tablespoonful of whipped cream. Eggs are of course the recognised breakfast standby, but do not serve these too often, for fear the children will tire of them. School Luncheons Luncheons, whether carried or eaten at home, should be a little more hearty than the breakfast; but see that they consist of light, easily digested food. Add at least a bit of celery or cress to the luncheon menus, not only as an appetiser, but for health’s sake, and do not forget the vitamine value of orange juice, which is as necessary in the daily dietary as the protein and carbohydrate (starch) requirements. If the luncheon must be carried try to make it as attractive as you can, and tuck in a little surprise with the substantials. A few salted nuts, a piece of chocolate, or chocolate covered crackers, or some other unexpected little treat will often turn a rather prosaic meal into an interesting affair. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of giving the children plenty of bread made from the whole grains, with good, sweet butter and the best milk you can buy. If you must economise, cut down on the meat bill, and serve eggs, macaroni (with cheese) and other dishes in its place, but provide a quart of milk per child daily, partly as a beverage and the remainder to be used on cereals, in puddings, etc.

MOTHER’S HOUR “TYO come in and talk to me. The children know this is mother’s hour, so they won’t disturb us,” said a young housewife, one afternoon. It’s generally a dubious pleasure trying to talk to a mother while little boys of six and two are about. But these little fellows played quietly and absorbedly together on the floor, while we grown-ups chatted. Occasionally one of them came up with a question, but a gentle reminder, “That must wait, dear. You mustn’t disturb mother’s hour,” was enough to send him back to his play. A mother’s hour should become a universal institution. Being with children continually is a trying job, however adorable they are, and the rest obtained during a fixed period every day when the little ones mustn’t disturb is invaluable to health and temper. The merest mites can be made to understand that mother needs a daily period all to herself. It is admirable training for them in consideration and initiative if the elder is put in charge of the younger, and they are expected to find their own amusement without help. Children who plan their own games are never bored or at a loss like those who come whining to older, people a perpetual “What shall I do now?” In fact, children should be taught and encouraged to invent games, for it will develop their common-sense and prove good training for them when the schooldays have to be faced. “Mother’s hour” should be observed, even if it is a maidless household, for the children may be safely left in a room where there is a big nursery fireguard and no means of injuring each other. LET THE CHILDREN HELP IVrEVER discourage a child, how- * ever tiny, who is trying to “help mother,” even if its little efforts are awkward and seem to hinder rather than help. It is a mistake to do too much for children. They should be taught to help themselves, to dress, and to put away their clothes. Even a baby of two or three years old may be taught to consider it as a part of the game, when playing with toys, to put them away. Care should be taken not to permit a child to look upon personal duties as a task. Mothers are so apt to excuse the children from home duties on the plea that “they can only be young

once, let them enjoy life while they can.” It is not, however, acting in the interests of the children to allow them to grow up irresponsible, without self-reliance, unpractical and selfish. The latter seems a hard word, but children who arc set free from all responsibilities will become selfish. Young people are so apt to take things for granted, and, after saying “Oh, mother will see to it,” go off to their various pleasures, leaving “Mother” to perform little duties that should fall to their lot. On the other hand, you will nearly always find that a woman who exacts a certain amount of consideration from her children will command their respect when they are grown up. IS YOUR HOUSE A HOME? tTOME has been defined as “the JLJL house where people are happy together.” It is not a bad description, and it is pathetic enough to think how many houses are not homes at all, but only hotels, where the various members of the family come to eat and sleep, and see as little as needs be of one another. If you travel abroad, “home” always means “New Zealand,” and your home ought to be the place your children will instinctively look back to as their bit of New Zealand in the days to come. The secret of home is the sense of freedom. It has got to be the very opposite of a cage. And it is all in the woman’s hands. Children must, of course, be subjected to some discipline when they arc young, otherwise they become slaves to themselves, which is the worst form of tyranny. But apart from that necessary education, let them feel as they grow older, especially your daughters (your boys will be more their own pioneers!, that they have space to grow and develop on their own lines. Let your motto be “Do,” not “Don’t.” And if you must say “no,” let your prohibition be intelligible, not merely autocratic. It is better for them to learn for themselves that too many sweets spell internal disaster than to hide the box away from them. By giving them freedom you will gain their confidence, and so in the end be able to guide them more than by perpetual refusals leading to secrecy. And you will be happy together, and as your hair grows a little grey and “the homing instinct” stays strong in your children you will know that you have builded a great foundation!