Dear Susan,

I would like to congratulate Marion and express my admiration at her success in disciplining David. One of the best things about PDM is the opportunity it gives for opinions, advice and ideas to be exchanged.

Her description of an old-fashioned bath night is I think, inspired. Sunday evening is exactly the right time to make sure baby starts the new week scrupulously clean, and also ensures he is ready for beddy-byes nice and early. What impresses me lately is the amount of common sense being presented in PDM rather than flights of fancy. I loved her idea of drying David in front of a cosy fire, before getting him ready for bed in sensible winter vest and nightie, and the cocoa is a marvellously subtle touch. Marion is completely correct in treating David’s bath routine as if she were preparing a little boy for bed.

I am more than willing to take advice as well as give it, and have already acted on Marion’s examples. Come Sunday afternoon, Timmy looked very unhappy sitting amongst the soapsuds floating his splendid new yellow plastic duck, and wearing a pink shower cap, although judging by his attempts to avoid being washed, I think the piggy bank requires prising open to purchase myself a rubber apron.

I borrowed one of Miss Patterson’s large winceyette nighties and ran up a pair of bloomers from some old pyjama bottoms. Used in combination with his mittens and a night bonnet, Timmy’s bedtime ensemble was completed by your suggestion of woollen bed socks, something I have not considered before. I have stated previously of my dislike for pandering to his desires for pretty nightwear, but think I am on safe ground with winceyette bloomers and nighties. Timmy was most unhappy at being despatched to bed that afternoon, but he will become accustomed to the idea.

I am always amenable to new ideas about keeping discipline fresh and inventive, I am particularly concerned regarding suitable night attire for our occasional warm summer evenings. Susan’s suggestion of cotton nighties and bloomers would be too appealing to Timmy. I would welcome an exchange of views with other ladies who care about 'bed time and pyjama discipline'.
Regards,

Miss Helen Good

Of course I have often stated that petticoat discipline does not have to be disliked by the victim in order to be effective. The idea down the years has always been to turn often troublesome boys into meek and docile little lambs, and if they also enjoy the doting attention then that is all to the good.

What about a pair of cotton rompers, in pink gingham, with a few bows and frills, and puffy bloomer bottoms for the warmer months? Timmy could even wear a soft towelling nappy underneath, to give the rompers the necessary fullness. Do any ladies have any other ideas for Helen?
Susan