MOTHERS' COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 13, 26 March 1892, Page 307

MOTHERS' COLUMN.

TRAINING CHILDREN. a»,i..»T is too often the case in families that the entire IPI tjfi responsibility of training the children is left to 2)1 the mother. This should not be. There are duties which devolve upon the father, and there are duties which belong especially to the mother : but both parents should co operate in bearing these cares. To properly rear a family of children is no small task. There is the greatest need of the combined wisdom, counsel and efforts of both parents. The mother’s household duties and cares are often heavy enough in themselves without having all the extra care of training the minds and hearts of growing boys and girls. She needs assistance. The father’s work, too, often calls him from home, or causes him to be away from home most of the time, he therefore needs assistance. Thus we see the importance of co operation on the part of the parents if they would have all the interests of their children properly superintended. Children should be so trained that there will be equal respect for the authority of both father and mother. One parent should avoid doing anything that will weaken the authority of the other, or that will militate against good family government. The mother should never say to the child: ° I will tell your father when becomes.' This at once weakens her own authority over the child. It will lead most children to feel that the mother’s authority is subordinate to that of the father’s ; or that the mother is simply a monitress and not a mistress in the family. No such impression should ever be made upon the mind of any child. It will make a jar in family government and open a gap for children to go astray. It sometimes occurs that a boy will have his request denied by the mother, but he will turn and go to the father who will grant it. This should not be done knowingly. If the father be in doubt whether the boy made the same request of his mother, he should ask • ‘ What did your mother say about it ’’ This will enable parents to act in harmony. It is quite proper at times that one parent should submit a request to the other. It is well at times to say : ‘ See what mamma says about itor, ‘ See what papa says about it.’ Ido not mean by all this that it is always necessary for the child to have the consent of both parents, and that the parents are to consult each other every time a request is made, but I simply mean that where there is a prohibition laid on a certain course by one, there should be no taking advantage of it by the child’s going to the other for permission. HEALTH FOR BABIES. MUCH depends upon the regularity of an infant’s time of taking nourishment, and yet, few seem to realize it. The shortest time between feeding should be nothing under an hour and a half and the most suitable time is about two hours. But the important point is, to give the nourishment regularly. Whatever time is chosen, do not shorten it because the babe is fretful. Apply warm cloths to the abdomen and feet and if a severe spell of crying cannot be hushed, try giving a little hot water. No need of adding a drop of peppermint, or camphor or any other medicine. What it needs is warmth, and hot water will give that without injury. Do not feed it to ouiet it. Often, I believe, babies cry from an over full stomach. It is almost agony to sit and see the milk forced through its lips in the foolish imagination that it must oe hungry to fiet so. The best thing to relieve colic, for a simple remedy is the warming by means of an inverted hot saueer, wrapped in flannel and placed over the abdomen. It will quickly relieve. Care should be taken that the babe is perfectly clean. While it is in its bath, see that every wrinkle has been thoroughly rinsed. Then dry and powder, and then there will be no cause of suffering from chafing. Pulverized tea will often heal after the skin becomes sore, where infantpowder or cornstarch seems poisonous. Even at so early an age the habits of cleanliness may be planted. Soon the little thing will crow and splash around in its tub, and enjoy it as much as a bird does its bath. After this has been done nothing remains but to keep its feet warm and bowels well regulated. Do not wrap the babe np in two or three shawls, and then wonder why it sneezes at every breath. Let it get accustomed to have no blanket or shawl about it. If not warm enough, add another long-sleeved shirt, but do not wrap it up and keep it from all pure air.

Berth a Packard Englet.