CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 138, 7 December 1929, Page 15

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS

HOW TO-MAKE THEM A SUCCESS

Summer is now" sufficiently advanced for us to begin to consider the holiaays. In fact; they are practically on us. Wise parents will already, after much discussion,- have taken a cottage or booked rooms iii the country or by the sea, wrote the- Hon. Mrs. St. Aubynj-in-the-London "Daily Telegraph:" -: -."•-• - :.: -.- . ■. ;. . So • far, • both father iuia mother will ha-ve -gone/ into the matter. In fact, the geographical position and amenities of the. holiday, resort are. of utmost in■t? ris?t-godfather's!' . The problem,'however, of making these holidays a success lies'mostly, in the mother's hands. ■The first difficulty'to bo overcome, when leaving home, is the size, or rather, ' quantity r of the luggage. In view of our changeable, weather, knitted suits for children "aro tlic . most sensible. They are easy to wash and dry. They are.-also warm, and take up .little room, and allow the sun and air to reach the child's skin. On very hot days a bathing aress can bo worn. Be sure it does not expose the back of the ehiia's neck too much to the strong sun, as it may'blister the skin. This is a serious result of "overdoing sun-bathing. A soft sun hat, a cretonne or artificial' silk frock, ana knickers for the girls, a pair of flannel trousers and sliirt for the. boys, are sufficient for smarter occasions. HATS AND RULES. One word of warning—aon't forget hats. It always worries me tO'See sunseeking enthusiasts who expose their babies' legs ana arms till they are nearly blistered, and allow the strong light and heat to beat down on unprotected eyes and heads. A hat or pram canopy is essential. Sandals are apt to rub and blister feet accustomed to socks and shoes. I always choose very thin socks or fit ,the sandals or sand shoes carefully. Paddlers and bathing dresses I get on arrival to save packing. I find they are generally worn out by the end of the holiday! When taking a baby or very young chiia away I take its own blankets. In the case of a large family a first aid box is an important item. Another important health precaution.l take is to ask my family doctor to "find out the name of- a good practitioner at the holiday resort. Once arrived I have found the following rules help to save . a lot of troubles:— • ■. . ■ 1. Take things- easily at first, and not try and taste all: the' pleasure of the new place at once. .■■-.' 2. See that We children have a aose of medicine the first night. The change of air, excitement, and, in the case of town children, richer milk, will often cause a digestive upset if some precautions aro not taken. ' 3. All children should havo a rest during the..day ,jxs.the:: holidays upset their routine. Their days, too,"are full of new interests and excitements. This all puts an extra -strain on their growing bodies and developing minds. So much for the problems that we can circumvent by foresight. I will now try and. deal with those emergencies that will arise, whatever, we do, during- the' holiaays. Emergencies we can in measure guard against and circumventj but not prevent. If you have a" bottle-fed baby, and have taken rooms, not a house, the baby's feeds prove a great aifficulty. If your baby is on dried milk ypu have, of course, only to face the question of sterilising the bottle.:: In any case, I found a sterilising outfit a great help. Once a day I sterilised all the bottles and made the feeds. I; then put, on broiling akysj some-icel rouiia them, and all .was well. Only'once a-day had I to borrow the sink and gas ring.OTHER NECESSARIES. A. travelling cot, thermos, methylated iron, a small stove, and an electric torch are. all lalsour-saying aids on a lfdlidajv"^"'""" —-"------■ ■ -"--- --—-■-■- ■"•■-- Older children are most difficult to deal with on a wet day. Once we are kept ■in I bring out books and games children are forbidden to use on other days. I find that one sharp walk, and then a change of clothes and a brisk rub down with a towel, are almost essential for good temper ..and health; A very successful amusement is sorting and' sticking the snapshots taken into a book. A cure for grumbling is the remark: "Well, if you are so bored and have nothing to do, why not write to So-and-so!" Occupations of a more congenial type appear' as though by magic at such a remark. ..' ' ' Of course, one 'can take children to a cinema or to some indoor amusement. But I think, with a little tact and ingenuity, a day in away from home can be filled in ana pass fairly quickly.

What a pity it is that otherwise quite nice people make other unhappy by their idle gossip. Somebody is always so terribly busy engaging detached people to each other, whether they like it or not. This form of gossip is twin sister to the loud "laugh. It bespeaks the vacant mind, says Lady Kitty, in the Adelaide "Observer." There _is a well-known and perfectly charming man whom, at present, the gossips are very busy finding a wife for. They have engaged him to this one and that one, everyday one hears a different name linked with his, until the poor, man, if he came to hear of it would be frightfully dithered to know which of the fair dames was his choice. As a matter of fact there'is absolutely no truth in the rumour. However, it is all very contemptible, ana many a good friendship has been broken before this by just such meddling talk. It is marVeJldns. that.in these absorbingly wonderful vtimes when- the worldi's doings are offering such delicious mental feasts; there is anyone who can serve up such dishes, of indigestible tittle tattle regarding their fellow creatures...

SYDAL'S MANY USES.

Ihe qualities .of; Sydal, proved by 40 years' use, ftre \many. It is concentrated. ".. The merest touch is required. It is compact and cannot spill in your car. It-is; non-poisonous and safe for the tenderest skin. It is antiseptic and soothing. Take it on your holiday..