Clearing Up Breastfeeding Misconceptions

Follow up article in the Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL

Perception vs. reality: Breastfeeding is OK

By Elizabeth Davies, September 26, 2007

Click on the title to link to the official news website and read the entire article. Below are a few extractions from the article.

Q: A teen girl walks through the food court at the mall. Her pants are so low-cut that it’s obvious she isn’t wearing any underwear.

Inappropriate or acceptable?

Q: The woman ringing up your purchases at the corner store is wearing a shirt that’s so revealing, it’s possible a stiff wind will blow the thing right out of there.

Inappropriate or acceptable?

Q: A mother is holding a crying baby in a restaurant booth. She lifts her shirt just enough to offer the baby her breast, and the child’s head covers any exposed skin.

Inappropriate or acceptable?

Too often, women in today’s society are condemned for feeding their children in public. Despite overwhelming health benefits for both mother and baby, the act of breast-feeding still carries a social stigma.

Here are a few of the perceptions surrounding breastfeeding:

. . .

Perception: Nursing in public is lewd and inappropriate.

Reality: There’s nothing sexual about nursing a child. It is, without dispute, the most natural and healthiest way to feed a baby. If you can’t look at breasts as something other than a sexual object, it’s time to spend more time learning to respect and honor the women around you. Breasts were created to feed children, not to entertain men.

. . .

Perception: A nursing mother could very easily put a blanket over herself.

Reality: Blankets aren’t always available. They’re often hot. Some babies just won’t keep them on. And replacing a blanket one-handed while trying not to drop your baby is pretty darned difficult.

Perception: Mothers who nurse in public are trying to cause trouble.

Reality: If a mother really wanted to irritate the people around her, she would let her hungry baby scream. Instead, she’s giving the baby what he needs in a quiet way.
And besides, very few mothers who just went through nine months of pregnancy are particularly eager to show off their bodies to the world. They’re just doing what needs to be done.

Perception: Nursing mothers just “whip it out” in front of God and everyone.

Reality: OK, so we’ve all heard the stories about moms who walked around with their entire breasts showing while feeding their children. But those moms are in the minority.

Most breastfeeding mothers simply look as though they are holding a baby. Chances are, you’ve passed a breast-feeding mother in the aisle at Target or on a bench at the park and not even realized what she was doing.

Perhaps if you caught the mother at the right angle, if the baby moved its head or if you stared really hard, you might see a flash of skin. Turn away, just as you would if a woman walked by with her skirt accidentally tucked into her pantyhose.

Perception: Women who breast-feed in public are offending those around them.

Reality: People who smell, wear their clothes too tight and learned their table manners in a barnyard offend me, but I don’t see anyone telling them to leave.

Posting because I appreciate this author's point of view. Each person must decide for themselves what is right and good. And if you offend me, I will discreetly turn my head, as I hope you will do if I offend you. If I am about to walk off a spiritual cliff, though, I do hope that you will at least tell me to watch my step.

I do not agree with everything she writes. Regarding her statement that "Breasts were created to feed children, not to entertain men:" I must, as a Christian and an honest human being, disagree. The wise teacher said "may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love." (Proverbs 5:19) Also check out the Song of Solomon! I think breasts were created to entertain men and to feed children. ERGO... we are responsible to be discreet, careful, and "modest", when we are feeding our children. People need to understand the and conjunction. Women are not to "whip it out", not caring for the men's hearts, and men are not to ogle, not caring for the women's hearts. But all in all, when men and women are being ladies and gentlemen, understanding that nursing a child at the breast is a beautiful way of nourishing a child, and in our Creator's own plan, then there is nothing wrong or indecent about doing it "in public".

"Education, education, education," as they say. Let us keep teaching the younger women - in the church and out - of the propriety of loving your children by feeding them in this natural, loving way, and doing so sensibly and discreetly. And then maybe, as they observe chaste and respectful behavior, men will also be won to honor women in an understanding way, as heirs of grace.

Breast Feeding "versus" Modesty?

I'm thinking that old fashioned girls might get a tad confused by this one. Our mothers and grandmothers made very sure to buy the "best" formula, boil those bottles, and not even think about the commonality or animal instinct to feed babies at the breast. Much less would it be done or spoken of in public. Our society encourages mothers who want to feed their children in the even older old fashioned way to please treat this as if it is talking about "that time of the month." Sad thing is, products for "that time of the month" are talked about all over the airwaves and in magazines, but breast feeding is thought of as yucky somehow, indecent, something to be embarrassed about. Mothers who breast feed may be aware of the stories that are told of visiting foreign lands where women were more concerned that their heads were covered in the presence of a man, than their baby feeders. True - the breast is lovely. Even the Bible tells a young man to enjoy the breasts of his wife. But that's not all they're there for, just as that's not all the wives are there for either.

So is it modest to feed your baby at the breast in public? Most breast feeding mothers I know were very discreet about it, even able to feed their crying child during church services, so that no one knew that they were "proud" to feed their babies naturally. I say "proud" because it is often the opposite of modest, isn't it? A woman who isn't "modest" about it, flaunts it. Most nursing mothers aren't "flaunting it" - they're just feeding their children.

I wish there was a way to teach the world - well, at least the "educated"world who have some strange hang up against natural, old fashioned feeding of children - that it's perfectly all right for a woman to feed her hungry baby without feeling like she's broken some sexual law. They aren't "showing off", that is "being immodest", after all. They are some of the humblest women you know. If almost 75 percent of babies are breast fed, for at least a little while, I'm sure you know some of them too.

Thoughts spurred on by the following article...

Health, concern come before modesty for mothers
Sep 19, 2007 @ 08:00 AM
By Elizabeth Davies
RRSTAR.COM

Pick up any can of Enfamil formula and you’ll likely see the motto: “Even closer to breast milk.”

Even formula companies admit it: Breast milk is the healthiest food for our babies. So much so that the federal government has set a goal of having three-quarter of all babies breast-fed in the next two years.

At present, slightly less than 75 percent of all babies are breast-fed. That means 75 percent of new fathers have seen breasts function as a source of nutrition rather than excitement. Seventy-five percent of older siblings grow up knowing that a woman’s breasts do more than look good on the pages of Playboy.

But despite growing education and promotion of breast-feeding, society is sending nursing mothers a mixed message. Consider this:

* A nursing mother was asked to stop while at a Wheaton swimming pool because it was a “family” setting, according to the Wheaton Sun.

* A nursing mother in Kentucky was asked to cover herself in an Applebee’s restaurant, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Upon hearing her complaint, the company said it would provide blankets for nursing mothers in its restaurants.

(OK, all mothers go ahead and shudder in unison at the thought of putting a public blanket over your child’s face.)

* A nursing mother on a Delta Airlines flight was asked to leave the plane, according to MSNBC.

I’ve nursed my child in parks, restaurants and department stores. I’ve done it at the gym, in a hair salon and at church. To the best of my knowledge, I haven’t given an X-rated show to anyone around.

I have, however, fed my child when he was hungry and comforted him when he was upset.

I’m a fairly modest person, so I didn’t expect to be the type to nurse in public. But when your child eats every two hours, you have two options: 1) never leave the house; or 2) get a life and get over it.

Like many moms, I get a tad nervous about feeding in public. Obviously, I would prefer to be in the comfort of my quiet, private home.

Nursing moms always have their guards up, ready to spring into action if their little one’s busy hands decide to expose mommy’s goods to the world. But we’re more nervous about the one person who will walk up and try to bully us out of doing this very good, healthy thing for our child.

Moms in Illinois have the legal right to breast-feed anywhere they otherwise are allowed to be. Standing in line for a roller coaster? You bet. Wandering through the produce section at the grocery store? Absolutely.

But those hushed whispers and open-mouthed stares make it difficult. That shouldn’t be the case. Nursing mothers should not be made to feel dirty or promiscuous simply because they are making a choice for their child.

As breast-feeding becomes a more popular option for mothers across the country, society needs to learn some tolerance. This isn’t about sexuality — heck, teen girls wandering the mall tend to show more skin than a nursing mother — and it’s not about indecency.

It’s about giving a child the benefits of breast milk: A lower risk of obesity, reduced exposure to food allergies, a stronger immune system.

It’s one of the things mothers were made for.

Writer’s note: Next week’s column will discuss some of the myths surrounding public breast-feeding. Elizabeth Davies’ column runs Thursdays in People of the Rock River Valley in the Rockford Register Star.

Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days

Blast from the past today. I can still see the 1988 Friends group singing this one. Some dear heart had written today about the good old days, and this song came to my head, though I haven't heard it for years. I never saw this video (gotta love the 80's hair).

Made me all nostalgic.

by the Judds:

Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like this world's gone crazy
Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn't seem so hazy

Did lovers really fall in love to stay
And stand beside each other, come what may
Was a promise really something people kept
Not just something they would say
Did families really bow their heads to pray
Did daddies really never go away
Oh, grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days

Grandpa, everything is changing fast
We call it progress, but I just don't know
And Grandpa, let's wander back into the past
And paint me the picture of long ago

Did lovers really fall in love to stay
And stand beside each other come what may
Was a promise really something people kept
Not just something they would say and then forget
Did families really bow their heads to pray
Did daddies really never go away
Oh, Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days
Oh, Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days

Lady Walking Alone

I came across this paragraph, reading a blog online, which is quoted from a book on dating and so on. She didn't say which book, though I believe it is from "Lady in Waiting: Developing Your Love Relationships" by Debby Jones and Jackie Kendall. I just really appreciate the thoughts.

"One lady wrote to me, frustrated that people often view a single woman as just marking time until the right man comes a long. Poor single woman! The world wants her to fornicate, and the church wants her to marry! Whatever happened to what Paul said about the blessings of being single?" William Booth wrote, "Don't instill, or allow anybody else to instill into the hearts of your children the idea that marriage is the chief end of life. If you do, don't be surprised if they get engaged to the first empty, useless fool they come across. Women and men should marry when it is plainly the will of God for their lives, NOT because they 'can't minister' otherwise, or because of social pressure."

--------
Paul says, about the blessings of being single:

"I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
--------

This is not to negate the beauty and holiness of a marriage in Christ, of course!

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

(And vice-versa) What do you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes, while planning to get married someday, a Lady might decide to work for the Lord in the meantime. Sometimes, while working for the Lord, a Lady might find that she can serve Him in marriage too, and what an added blessing that is.

Here's a list of books to read on living single in purity, and courtship, as opposed to spending your single years in mostly a pursuit of seeking your self and/or a mate, from a friend of mine, who is serving the Lord while living at home and serving her parents. She has organized them:


"These are all about making sure your relationship with God is right before you EVER even think about a relationship with a man...Very good books. "

• Lady In Waiting-Debby Jones and Jackie Kendall
• Authentic Beauty- Leslie Ludy
• When God Writes Your Love Story- Eric and Leslie Ludy***Also a guys book***
• Before You Meet Prince Charming-Sarah Mally
• When Dreams Come True-Eric and Leslie Ludy***Also a guys Book***

"For those of you who don't know that I do courtship aka. not kissing before marriage...Plus some other things. I am just telling you in advance..If you don't like it then you probably should not read any of these books about keeping your heart pure or striving to please God in the process....j/k..You should read it anyway :)"

• So Much More-Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin
• Dating vs. Courtship-Paul Jehle***Also a guys book***
• Dating is it Worth the Risk- Reb Bradley***Also a guys Book***
• Her Hand in Marriage-Douglas Wilson
• The Princess and the Kiss-This is a story book for young girls.I still LOVE reading this book.So sweet :)
• The Squire and the Scroll-This is the young boys version of ^^ that book.
• I Kissed Dating Goodbye-Joshua Harris**Also a guys book**
• Boy Meets Girl-Joshua Harris**also a guys book**
• Emotional Purity-Heather Paulsen

"Books on Raising Girls to be Godly Women-Yes I have done every one of these study books at least twice...But don't let how badly I've turned out discourage you from trying to make your girls into Godly women :)"

• How to be a Lady-Harvey Newcomb-This book is a little dry because it was written in the 1800's. But it has some good points to it!
• Beautiful Girlhood-Karen Andreola
• In My Fathers House-Same as How to be a lady....
• Training Our Daughters to be Keepers at Home- I cannot say enough about this book! It is a 7 year course..Yes, seven years! And it starts with, I think, 6th grade and goes through 12th. You start off with teaching the girls how to do things like cook easy recipes then it gets harder. It even goes into training your daughters when they get married and become moms...
• Polished Cornerstones-Doorposts..This one is not quite as long as the one above, but it does have a day to day type outline...
• Raising Maidens of Virtue-Stacy McDonald
• Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends-The Mally Siblings

"Also if you are planning on doing courtship with your children and don't really like them reading love novels, the Castleberry's have come out with a series of stories for young people about various people that have done courtship-"

• Waiting for her Isaac
• The Courtship of Sarah McLean
• The Courtship of Jeff McLean
• Journey of the Heart: The Story of Janet McLean

"You can buy just about all of these books from Grace and Truth Bookstore.. (for those of you that homeschool-wait until they come to the curriculum fair.They are always cheaper there :)"

"Vision Forum also has some AWESOME stuff about all the things that I mentioned.Plus they are having one HUGE sale right now!"

• Vision Forum They have awesome cd's about courtship, raising Godly men and women, manliness etc...
• Grace and Truth Bookstore
• Authentic Beauty

"Also if you have boys you can find books with the same material except for boys..."

~~~~~~~~
Watch the trailer for Visionary Daughters' "Return of the Daughters"

Isn't my friend organized? All I had to do was google search each title, and link it to one of the websites where that book is available for purchase. I decided to use multiple sites that sell these books, because I was happily surprised at the number of websites out there that are promoting these kinds of thoughtful books. If you have time, check further into a few of them, for more things to read and think about.

Here's a couple of lessons to listen to on the same topic:

• The lesson on single Ladyship called Courtship and Marriage, by Ruth Myers
• A couple of sermons titled So You Want to Get Married, by Paul E. Sheppard

And some great blogs and websites to read:

Anna's Musings
Mayden Fair
Single Girl in God's Army
Visionary Daughters
Articles from With All Thy Heart E-zine
Articles Especially for the Unmarried, by Ladies Against Feminism

Baby Boom of Large Families

It is interesting to me how sometimes a similar topic hits several blogs at the same time. Just this week, the talk is about big families. And these are only the three that I came across today; I am sure there are more. This is a big topic, after all!

I have four children, and I have heard many of the same questions that I read that those with families 2 or 3 times our size have gotten. To be honest, those Old Fashioned Ladies with large families are an encouragement and inspiration to those of us who have a "mere" 4 or 5.

May they continue blessing us.

photo from www.ridethewilderness.com/colonization.htm

In "No individual attention? Answering objections against large families," Domestic Felicity answers some arguments over-read concerning large families. Specifically addressed are the ideas that more children means there's less love to go around, and that problem of older children taking on responsibilities.

In "Large Family Budget Blessings," A Wise Woman Builds Her Home writes of the wonderful ways that a large family is blessed, even materially, when their priorities are set on the right things. They have nothing to fear.

In "Call for photos - "Full Quiver" Families," Mommy Life, "Mother of 12 lives to write about it!", writes, "it might be fun to put together a web album of Full Quiver (so to speak - I'm really still hesitant to use two words which have become too much of a slogan) families as part of my public gallery. This does not mean that you have to have a large family - it just means that your underlying philosophy is that children are a blessing and that you are willing to accept as many as God sends you through birth and/or adoption - and that at some point you stopped using birth control."

Also check these blogs and websites:
Large Family Mothering
Larger Families
Quiverfull.org
Raising Godly Tomatoes
Foundation For Large Families

---------------
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:4-5

Christian Ladies and Gentlemen are Old Fashioned

A study of 1 Peter 3 (See below for my thoughts and study)

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

"Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

L'Angelus, by Jean-Francois Millet

I find it quite interesting that the things which make a lady, or a gentleman, are the things which signify a follower of the Way of Christ, according to these Bible words. Think of it:

"subject to your own husbands" - she knows her role is not man's role; men and women are different

"they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct" - she doesn't need to nag or preach to get her point across, but behaves respectfully and keeps her behavior above suspicion

"Do not let your adorning be external..." - she doesn't dress so as to attract attention to her physical self, whether boldly or immodestly in any way

"let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit"- she focuses on presenting her inner self; she is calm and prepared so as not to be rattled, or lose her cool in any situation; she is confident in her life and her beliefs and so does not need to have a loud, controlling spirit

"which in God’s sight is very precious" - Being an "old fashioned lady", you see, is precious in God's sight. It does not save her and bring her to heaven, but it is the outward showing of something that is already in her heart.

"For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves" - she looks to the old ways for her example

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way" - Like the ladies, the gentlemen of Christ are not harsh ogres, nor are they like egalitarian business partners, thinking of them as men. They think, and live their lives showing outwardly that which is in their hearts, as they treat their wives with respect.

"showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel" - he shows that he sees her value and her preciousness, treating her as a special creation that he does not want to "break", as a big, old rough man in a china shop might break a precious vase because of his unawareness

"they are heirs with you of the grace of life" - he doesn't look down on her service as servitude to him, but sees a spiritual oneness

"all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind" - Ladies and Gentlemen do not fight and argue but work together to find solutions that will benefit; they seek the good of others and not themselves only; they love others and treat them as dear family; they are not harsh and rude, but they refine their heart until it is tender and gentle; they are not proud and haughty as a "newly rich" person might ascribe to be, but rather bear their riches in Christ - the blessings, the grace, the love, the wisdom of God, the responsibilities - with meekness and humility, as a servant to all

"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless" - their speech and behavior does not harm others just because harm has been done; they do not seek to slander others, but rather to encourage them, maybe even to lead them to a better way

"to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing" - Being "old fashioned" in speech and behavior is not what we were called to, was it? Then why does Peter point out that this lifestyle of blessing others is how or why we obtain blessing? It seems to me that this Godly lifestyle is exactly what God called us to. To live in such a way as to be a blessing to others - not merely to live for ourselves as the moderns might want to live.

One dear Lady pointed out to me that some of what I write about in this little blog is not really "old fashioned," but is "Godly living." This modern society may look at our old fashioned notions of femininity, service, meekness and humility and sneer, telling us that we will never get anything in this life living that way. But, oh, how much more we will get. And there was apparently a time, sometime in the "old" days, when many people, true Christian or not, saw the value of living this lifestyle of being a blessing by our manners, lifestyle, speech and behavior.

As David wrote to the Jewish nation, in Psalm 34:12-15,

What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

I am seeking to be an "old fashioned lady", if these things are what it means. Not a frivolous "lady of leisure" as some women of old days wanted to be, but a true lady, by definition and spirit. And, apparently, by the design and will of God.

Feminism

Revive Our Hearts, with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, has been providing a series called: "Journey From Feminism to Freedom: A Conversation with Carolyn McCulley and Jennifer Epperson". Each lesson is about 25 minutes long, and you can listen from OnePlace with Windows Media, Real Media, or by downloading the mp3 file.

1. Floating Into Feminism Jennifer Epperson thought getting married was like being swallowed up, so she had no interest in tying the knot. But on today's program, you'll hear about her journey toward transformation. "In my particular case, what I saw was: A married woman has her identity swallowed up by the man. I think there was something intrinsically fearful in my soul of being disempowered because I was a woman. ... "I think taking those stands and saying, “I will not . . . I will never . . .” were some type of insurance that my fearful soul was trying to put up, “No, don’t swallow me up. No, I don’t want to become insignificant.” "
   


2. Is Man the Enemy? At one point in her life, Jennifer Epperson enjoyed watching men squirm under her harsh words, but then a big change came over her. Join in as Nancy continues a compelling conversation with Jennifer. "Women are tempted by their sin natures to compete with men. This is something that I came to understand ... that concept of the curse for women and that Hebrew word tshuwqah, which means "to have a desire for, a desire not sexual, but a desire to dominate and to master." That's always inherent in our life, and that came out in full force, in full bore, through feminism."
   


3. Submission Impossible How does the biblical concept of submission work in the real world? Can a woman be submissive if she's the manager of male and female employees? Join in as Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Jennifer Epperson tackle these tough questions. "As a single woman, I don’t have a husband to submit to, but there are plenty of other biblical categories for me to submit in—to my pastor, to my boss, to other people as they have authority in my life. ... "I can either use the gifts that God has given me to build them up and to encourage them because I know what God is calling us to, or I can try to build myself up through demanding their time and attention, which never works."


4. Making the Most of God A lot of women feel like the biblical idea of submission squashes their gifts and talents, but God knows better! Join in for this discussion about submission and God’s glory. "As I approached Ephesians 5:22 we read, “For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of His body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything” (verses 23-24, NLT). ... "I couldn’t get beyond the fact that Christ never changes places with the church. So wives never change places with their husbands with regard to the role because there is an allegory there. "
   

Things you don't hear much anymore

And now, let's consider how your Mother and Grandmother lived. Found online:

Be sure and refill the ice trays, we are going to have company after while.

Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter in the mail today.

Quit slamming that screen door!

Be sure to pull the windows down when you leave, it looks like it might shower- and bring in the clothes on the line, too.

Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed.

Wash your feet before you go to bed, they are nasty from playing bare footed outside all day.

Why can't you remember to roll up your pants legs? Getting them caught in the bicycle chain so many times is tearing them up.

You have torn the knees out of that pair of pants so many times there is nothing left to put a patch on.

Don't you go outside with your good school clothes on!

Hang up your Sunday School clothes, you know you need to pass them down to your brother in good condition.

[Click here for a neat article on "Dressing Up" from a museum presentation.]

Go comb your hair. It looks like the rats have nested in it all night.

Be sure and pour the cream off the top of the milk when you open the new bottle. I need it for baking and Pa's coffee.

[Have you ever seen a cream separating milk bottle?]

Take that empty bottle to the store with you so you won't have to pay a deposit on another one.

Put a dish towel over the cake so the flies won't get on it.

Quit jumping on the floor! I have a cake in the oven and you are going to make it fall if you don't quit!

Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by, I need to get a few things from him.

You boys stay close by, the car may not start and I will need you to help push it off.

[photo from http://sechtl-vosecek.ucw.cz/en/stare2006-1.html]

There is a dollar in my purse, go by the service station and get five gallons of gas when you start to town.

Open the back door and see if we can get a breeze through here, it is getting hot.

You can walk to the store; it won't hurt you to get some exercise. Maybe you will learn to be more careful with your bicycle.

Don't sit too close to the TV, it is hard on your eyes.

If you pull that stunt again, I am going to wear you out!

Don't lose that button, I will sew it back on after while.

Wash under your neck before you come to the table, you have beads of dirt and sweat all under there.

Get out from under that sewing machine, pumping it messes up the thread!

Do you want to go get me a switch?

Be sure and fill the lamps this morning so we don't have to do that tonight in the dark.

Here, take this old magazine to the outhouse when you go, we are almost out of paper out there.

Go out to the well and draw a bucket of water for me to wash dishes in.

Don't turn the radio on now, I want the battery to be up when the Grand Ole Opry comes on.

No! I don't have five cents for you to go to the show. Do you think money grows on trees?

Eat those vegetables; they will make you big and strong like your daddy.

That dog is NOT coming in this house! I don't care how cold it is out there, dogs just don't come in the house.

Sit still! I am trying to get your hair cut straight and you keep moving and it is getting botched up.

Hush your mouth! I don't want to hear words like that. I will wash your mouth out with soap again!

It is time for your system to be cleaned out, I'm going to give you a dose of Castor Oil in the morning.

If you get a spanking in school and I find out about it, you will get another one when you get home.

Quit crossing your eyes! They will get hung that way!

Soak your foot in this pan of coal oil so that cut won't get infected.

When you take your driving test don't forget your hand signals each turn. Left arm straight out the window for a left turn, and left arm bent up to the sky at the elbow for a right turn and straight down to the side of the door when you are going to stop.

It is “Yes, sir!” And “No, sir” to me and your elders, young man, and don't you forget it!

While we are at Aunt Mary's and Uncle John's you kids eat when the adults get though and I don't want to hear "I don't like this stuff". You better keep your mouth shut and eat everything on your plate.

Well, that ought to keep us remembering some of the finer things of the past, some good and some not so good !