Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1911 — Points for Mothers [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Points for Mothers

About Weak Backs. How many times a day do some of os bear the command “Sit straight!” addressed to a child? It is generally varied, often in tones made peevish by the necessity of constant reiteration, with the command “Sit up!” “Hold yourself up!” and so forth. The child obeys, pulls himself together and sits up, but five minutes later he has forgotten, has slid down again in his chair and is “on the slouch" once more. I- .o in nearly all cases because his muscles are weak. He doubles himself up because the weak muscles refuse to support the back without constant effort For this state of things scolding and nagging are worse than useless. You must remedy the defect in quite another way—namely, by strengthening the relaxed muscles, which will then have no difficulty in doing their work and keeping the figure erect One of the very first things necessary for strengthening muscles is to give them a proper amount of exercise of the right kind. Remember that exercise improves the nutrition not only of the muscles themselves, but of the lungs, heart, intestines and other organs of the body. It is therefore a tonic in the best sense.

Don’t Nag. There are certain essentia! niceties In which the child should be trained, such as ownership in his individual comb, brush, towel and washcloth and toothbrush. A respect for his own and others’ property rights may well be inculcated since he will be forced to consider the latter all his life. Neatness and orderliness are part of the home discipline, or should be. but when it comes to the dvernicety that develops into fussiness it is a mother’s business to call a bait. A child is the most democratic of creatures. Clothes don't count until the maternal insistence makes them a torment. “Don’t get your clothes dirty” has spoiled more good times for a child than anything else ever will. He is having the time of his life till nurse or mother comes along to jerk him out of happiness and set him on a chair to "be good and keep clean.’’ Better see a child as dirty as the little pig we call him—thereby much maligning a useful creature that would be much cleaner if we gave it a chance —than self conscious of clothes and strutting before a mirror or fretting because he has put on stockings that don’t belong with that particular pair of shoes.

To Make a Mustard Plaster. A trained nurse gives the following directions for making a mustard plaster that will not blister: If the mustard is a little stronger than the ordinary kind use one part of mustard to four of flour. If exceedingly mild use half and half. There is often quite a difference in mustard. If of ordinary strength, use about three parts flour to one of mustard. Moisten it with the white of an egg and spread it between two pieces of thin cotton cloth. Hangers. -=>- Loops for hanging garments are always gearing out and breaking, particularly with children's cloaks and coats. To make a durable loop cut a strip of kid from an old glove, roll into it a piece of coarse string and sew the edges of kid neatly together. This loop fastened securely to a garment will stand any amount of pulling without wearing or breaking. The Midday Nap. It should always be remembered that a midday sleep is excellent for small children and may be kept up with advantage until the child is five and of course longer if the mother likes. It is a good plan to let a baby have its sleep out of doors, lying down in the perambulator, except, of course, during the very cold months. Plain Fare. Children should never be allowed to eat seasoned dishes or rich cakes or anything of that kind. The plainer their food is the better. It is always a good plan to give a child a glass of hot milk, g biscuit or something equally digestible before going to bed. Insect Bites. To alleviate the pain caused by the stings of insects apply a drop or two of strong ammonia or of a strong sola* tlon of washing soda to the affected part

For a Headache. If a child gets a bad headache from being out too much in the sun lay him in a cool, dark place and raise the head on a pillow. Apply ice to the head if possible: if not. bathe it with cold water. Loosen the clothes: give no stimulants. The Shy Child. Encouragement, will do much to help a shy child to overcome the nervousness felt when brought into coutact "with others in study or at play. .Never discourage shy children; never scold them before other* Not Impossible. "Can a man live without work?" “Under certain circumstances." “What are they?" “He must marry a rich and foolish woman’’ A Remedy. “He said he would never forget her." “And did be?” “No.” “So he didn't marry her.” Knew About IL The man was old; the girl was passing fair. Why did she love him? Curious fool, be still: He had much gold and stocks and bonds to snare. Her father was the man. who wrote the will.