Housekeeping

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1909

A GIRL can not grow up in a well-ordered home, under the care of a good mother, without unconsciously learning much of the method by which the home is made what it is. A bright girl who is unfortunate enough to be a member of a badly managed household is not utterly out of the way of learning how to do better. The very fact of the discomfort in which she lives often stimulates her to find out the possible improvement of her condition. “How can I ever learn to keep house?” said a young girl, one day, lamenting her peculiar circumstances, which prevented her from gaining any practical knowledge or experience. “Common sense is all you need in housekeeping,” replied the experienced and very successful housekeeper to whom the question was addressed. Common sense, supplemented by the best instruction attainable and by observation, will make housekeeping a pleasure rather than a burden. But all the teaching in the world will not avail without the common sense. In these days of cooking schools and lectures and opportunities of all sorts, it is an easy matter to obtain instruction; yet a few months of actual trial in one's own home teaches far more. Times change, and requirements change with them; people differ in tastes and opinions, and not even the wisest mother can tell what another household than her own will desire.—Good Housekeeping.