Vintage Family Tips from the 1920's

A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold. ~Ogden Nash

I was looking through my copy of Good Housekeeping's Book of Menus, Recipes and Household Discoveries from 1926 and thought these tips for getting kids to eat and drink properly were adorable! Sugar bowls and creamers are so easy to find at thrift stores and garage sales. Another idea to teach manners and give the kids a neat play time is to pick up odd teacups, saucers and spoons at garage sales, then keep them in a small tub for "tea time" with the kids. I know some moms love using good tea sets, which is fine, but I found that I have more fun and it's much more relaxing if we are using tea sets and dishes that aren't "special". If one breaks, it's no big deal. The following were the fun tips from the book:

Perhaps your child will not drink his milk. A small pitcher and a little, flat-bottomed wine glass will do the drink. Pour a little milk at a time from the pitcher into the tiny glass and watch your child delight in taking every drop. If the child is old enough, let him pour it himself. This is a healthful method, for the milk will never be taken in large gulps.

My two little girls refused to eat cereals until recently, when it occurred to me to give them each a little sugar bowl and pitcher so that they might help themselves. As they hold only enough for one serving, there is no waste or over-sweetening. Besides teaching them to wait on themselves without spilling, they are getting the benefit of wholesome cereals for breakfast and learning to like them.

On OFL we have a menu, tips and activities for a children's Valentine's Party: http://oldfashionedliving.com/valentine-tea.html