Practical Suggestions for Mother and Housewife — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Practical Suggestions for Mother and Housewife
John Stuart Mill · en
The desire to collect things, which seizes boys and girls at an early
age, should be turned into useful channels by teachers and parents.
Often this valuable instinct is largely wasted, as in the collecting
of postage-stamps, the impulse which it gives to geographical and
historical investigation being grossly perverted--for example a little
island, that once issued a stamp which is now rare, looming larger in
importance than a great country none of the stamps of which have any
special value.
Every school, or, failing this, every home, should have a museum, not so
much of curiosities as of typical specimens. These may be geological,
botanical, faunal or archaeological; the rocks and soils and clays of
the home country, the flowers of plants and sections of wood of trees;
the skins of animals and birds (taxidermy is a fascinating employment
for the young) eggs and nests (here the child should be taught to be a
naturalist and not a vandal), and Indian arrow-heads and stone-axes.
In this connection it should be suggested that the most valuable
collection of all is a herbarium of the flowers of literature, specimens
of which may be found in the home library. That a child is not fond of
reading is testimony that his parents no less than his teachers have
failed in their duty.
Above all, the parents should see that their boys and girls have
facilities for that physical culture which is necessary for health and
proper development. Those exercises which are both recreative and useful
are preferable. Gardening may be made a delight instead of a hardship,
if the child is allowed to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Let him sell
the vegetables he raises to the family, and, if there is an excess,
to the neighbors, for pocket money. He will enjoy purchasing his own
clothing even more than using the money solely for his pleasures.
Healthful sports should be encouraged, and games, such as chess, that
develops the intellect. There are many card games, such as "Authors,"
that impart useful instruction in literature, history, natural science,
business, etc. Playing these in the home is a good thing no less for
parent than child. Many a mother has acquired a well-rounded culture
after her marriage through her determination to "keep ahead of the
children" in their studies and intellectual activities.
The child should be early accustomed to take cold baths, and then run
about naked in a room under the impulse given by the tingling glow of
reaction. If a play is made of the bath the habit will be formed for
life, and in this way, one of the mother's chief struggles, to make the
children clean themselves, will be abolished. It is natural for a child
to get dirty, and therefore it should be made as habitual an impulse
for them to get clean again.
Of all such habits, keeping the teeth clean is most important.
Children's teeth are a chief source of anxiety to the mother even
before they make their appearance.