Advertise with us!

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Blast from the Past

I came across this article on how parenting advice has changed over the past 80 years.
Originally printed by Nursery World, a U.K. parenting magazine celebrating its 80th anniversary today, it is interesting to see how child-rearing has changed over time, with a few consistencies:
  • 1926- How to cure a fussy eater: You cut out feeding times for 24 hours. He has water in abundance, exercise, rest, peace. After that you will have no trouble with regard to food and the wicked boy may be transformed into a likeable young person who appreciates mealtimes.
  • 1936 - How to get a good night’s sleep: A nanny writes: My (18-month-old) charge would wake up every night and cry. One night, instead of petting her, I gave her a smacking instead. Every night after than when she woke up and cried without reason, I smacked her. At the end of three weeks, I found I had undisturbed nights of rest.
  • 1965- How to reduce a child’s allergies: Cover pillows, especially feather pillows used by children susceptible to asthma and hay fever, with polythene bags of a suitable size.
  • 1986- How to gain a sought-after nursery place: The magazine highlights questionable practice: “It’s easy,” one mother said. “You just have to say you’re frightened that you’re going to start hitting the kids. Then you’ll get a place!”
  • 1938- How to encourage a full head of hair: A reader writes: My little girl is just two with quick-growing straggly straight hair. I wonder if shaving would make it coarser and easier to keep in order. I know it seems drastic, but the child will not mind in the least.
  • 1926- How to stop ugly mouth breathing: Breathing through their mouths not only gives children a vacant look, but is a frequent cause of nose, throat and even chest trouble. Tell the child to place its finger firmly along one side of its nose to close the nostril and to take three short sharp breaths through the unclosed one.
  • 1984- How to survive as a teacher: A delegate at a conference recalls advice given to her on her first day as a teacher: Always wear a hat, gloves, no lipstick and NEVER talk to parents.”
  • 1946- How to serve sliced bread: It should never be cut less than an inch and a half thick. There is nothing more plebeian than thin bread at dinner.

SOURCE: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1910604,00.html