Children at the Table by A. M. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 29, 1908

Children at the Table.

By A. M. H.

It has been wisely said that children's conduct at the table reflects credit or condemnation upon their elders in an unmistakable manner. The child taking lunch with a neighbor shows just the degree of refinement to which he is accustomed. Children may early be taught that whatever refinement they possess is evident in the way they take their food. The correct way of eating may easily become a habit, and it is at the home table that dainty habits, or those quite the reverse, become settled.

Mothers should pay strict attention to this part of a child's education and start it in right habits. Above all, the little ones should not be snubbed for their attempts to add to the general conversation, neither should they be permitted to be so much in evidence that their friends and parents are forced to keep in the background.

If one takes pains to always have the table neat and clean, it teaches the children to be more particular at the table. A liberal use of small cloths not only adds to the appearance of the table but saves the table-cloth from such frequent washings. The napkins, tray cloths, and doilies can be kept soft and white by putting them to soak over night in a warm Pearline suds. When washed in this way they require very little rubbing, which is a genuine saving to the fabric.

Children have rights, and one of their rights is to be corrected in private. The wise mother never wounds her child by public reproof, nor embarrasses the rest of the family and sympathetic guests by nagging and fault-finding in their presence.

A. M. H.