MOTHERS’ COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue I, 4 July 1896, Page 21

MOTHERS’ COLUMN.

BABY’B WANTS A CREEPER. Creeping-aprons art made with high neck and long sleeves to thoroughly protect the clothing underneath. Gingham is a suitable material. It is not wise to use too heavy a fabric, as the child may take cold when the apron is removed. One can be bought ready made, or two yards and a half of gingham will make one. I made mine like combinations, with baggy trousers. These are much easier to crawl in than a long apron which catches in the feet. RESTLESS BOYS. If your boy is very restless at night and uncovers his feet make him Canton flannel night-drawers with feet. Two yards and a quarter will make one pair for a child three years old. If you do not like these, make his flannel nightgown very long, half a yard below his feet, sew tapes on the bottom and tie the edges together. BABY’S CARRIAGE. Lap-robes for baby carriages are made this winter with an opening at the side, near the middle, for convenience in placing or removing the child. The flap is buttoned over, effectually excluding the air. One of white lamb costs /'3. SMART CLOTHES FOR BABY. The handkerchief bib is made of a hem stitched cambric handkerchief cut in two diagonally. One point have embroidered with forget-me-nots in blue, a dainty vine, or tiny wild roses. The other two points tie behind. They are pretty over a cloak in the street, but are too delicate for everyday wear. A fur-lined garment is warmer and more comfortable than one where the fur is on the outside. It is not necessarily clumsy. The pelisse itself should be plainly cut, without much fullness, and a wide fur-trimmed collar or small cape added to relieve the plainness. If your climate is severe, the sleeves of your coat should be lined with fur also. GOING TO BED. The following suggestions may help to induce little brothersand sisters to go to bed more willingly. The parlour is always very enticing to the little ones in the winter evenings and it is hard for them to leave it cheerfully. No matter how well behaved children may be, the fatal words, ‘ Bed time,’ are almost invariably productive of disastrous results. In all the families except one where I seen children ordered to bed, the mandate has been followed by pathetic requests to stay up a little longer, or by downright disobedience, when the poor little victims were borne screaming to the upper regions. It is of the one exception that I wish to speak. In this house there is a flock of little ones, whose birthdays only come a year or so apart, and the mother believes in sending the babies to bed with the birds. It was not easy at first to enforce this rule until she hit on a very successful plan. At half past seven she sits down to the piano and plays a few chords. The children all stop their play and run to her. The one who touches her first is ‘ leader ’ for the evening. The others all form in single file behind him or her, the mother plays a march, and the babies march twice around the room and then up to bed, the mother running after as soon as the last little footsteps reach the uppermost stair. This performance seemed almost Utopian to me, and I asked the mother how she thought of it, and how she managed to train the children. She replied, ‘ The children suggested it themselves. The two older ones go to a kindergarten, and like to teach the little ones who stay at home the various games they learn at school. They are particularly fond of march’ng, and one night when they were marching around I led them for awhile, and finally led them up to bed before they realized what I was about. Since then the plan has been carried on, till now I don’t lead them myself, but play for them instead.’