HOW TO BE A GOOD PARENT (HB)

‘To keep children clean is something that should never be attempted. It cannot be done.' 'The mere provision of the vegetable is not sufficient; it must be actually eaten.' 'If there is room enough for somersaults, the child can be satisfied.' The first half of the twentieth century saw a plethora of books published on the subject of child-raising. With chapters on manners, mealtimes, deportment - and saying goodbye to childhood - this is the edited wisdom of the forebears of Dr Spock and Supernanny.