Children After Christmas

After the excitement of Christmas Day comes a period of reaction. Mother is tired after the rush of shopping and special Christmas cooking. Children also droop a little in spirits. They have expended a great deal of nervous energy, and have probably, like the grown-ups, eaten rather more than necessary. Now the new toys begin to pall, and a weary mother is assailed with the question, “What'll we do now?”

If possible, the answer is, “Get ready for an outing,” whether it be a full-day picnic, a half-day at beach or baths, or a walk across the road to ask little friends to play in the park.

Every child appreciates an outing, simple though it may be, and even a well-known destination becomes exciting when playmates are invited to “come too.” The wise mother is only too glad to include Johnny-next-door or Sallyover-the-way in her party.

But there is no guarantee that the weather will be suitable for out-ofdoors. In case of rain, mother is the one who is expected to suggest some interesting indoor occupation. Mother realizes that children like to be doing, and that possibly the toys that wellmeaning relatives have given are not of a type to keep the young ones busy for long.

Perhaps mother suggests that the children prepare for next day's picnic. “You will want your bathing suits. Merle's cap is in the chest in the hall. You go swimming so often I've decided you'll have to look after your own things, including the towels. You may each have two of your very own from the pile of swimming towels in the linen press. Yes, choose the ones you like. Draw lots if you wish. Daddy and I'll have the remainder. Yes, I know some of them are the same. You'll have to label your own. Yes, either with embroidery thread or marking ink on tape. No, why should Merle do it for you boys? Each mark your own. And you'll have to find room in your drawers for them. I suggest keeping special picnic gear all together. You may have to rearrange your drawers.

By this time the children have got the idea, and turn to a rearranging of all their belongings, hardly realizing that the irksome task of tidying drawers has become a worthwhile job.

Sister later is found studying recipe books in the kitchen with the idea of making something tasty for the picnic, and young Jack gets busy sorting out billies, milk bottles and other picnic utensils.

Meanwhile mother is noticing the discarded toys here and there about th house. Re-arranging can well be extended to the toy cupboard. There probably isn't an adequate cupboard, but an interested father or big brother can do marvels with wooden boxes or a few shelf boards. The small child who is to use the shelf space should help to plan and to build. Even the holding of nails gives a “proud builder” air to the young child.

Big brother, too, could probably do with more storage space for his belongings, and will attend to this need after he has fixed things up for the small ones.

If sister wants to help with the carpentering, let her. Show her how to use the tools and she'll enjoy the job as much as brother does.

The final painting or varnishing is an absorbing occupation. (Mother might like to enlist workers for other jobs about the house). Then comes the de page 58 lightful task of arranging “my shelf” or “my cupboard.” Old toys assume new value now that they have a home, and a surprising number of repair jobs are carried out by the young craftsmen.

Who cares whether it rains to-morrow or not? The children have indoor plans for days ahead.