Economy of Labour in the Home.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue III, 21 July 1900, Page 138

Economy of Labour in the Home.

It is not always the hardest worker that accomplishes the most; it is the one who plans judiciously and executes with the least waste of energy. There is a homely proverb that says: “Make your head do the work of your heels.” There is a deal of sound sense in it, and comfort, too. if one will but follow it up, for it doesn’t hurt the head, and it does rest the heels.

Train the family to save your steps. A too unselfish mother makes selfish children. One who habitually picks up after her household fritters away’ her energy, and does a positive harm to those she would help. Ea ih child should be required to keep his or her things put away in their proper place.

Orderliness saves labour. Th: assistance of the father may well :ome in at this point to reinforce the nother’s authority. When he says, “T~> this to save your mother,” and pract ses what he preaches, it begins to be the law of that household to be thoughtful of the overtaxed one.

But suppose the family are oblivious of the fact that she is overtaxed. Shall she still require at their hands service that is unwillingly rendered? Certainly. Children are often selfish because they’ are thoughtless, and they can never be trained in thoughtfulness except by being led to do thoughtless things. Insist upon proper appliances to work with. A housekeeper’s tools must be good, and kept in good working order. More than this, she should arrange her workshop to the

very best advantage. Labour is multiplied by having to go hither and yon for untensils and ingredients. Think out an arrangement that will save steps.

Do not sacrifice yourself to a false notion of economy. I once knew a woman who for years did the ironing for a family of six with two irons. Think of the waste of fuel and strength and time and temper involved in that little piece of mismanagement! An economy that wears out the mother of a family is dear at any price.