But always, the main principle which you will be conveying to your children is that to entertain anyone properly you must think what he would like best to do, or eat, or play. Don't expect your children to be as good at practicing this as you are, but watching them try will be more than enough reward for all your patience and hard work.

When they reach the stage where they want to be solely in charge of some part of the entertainment of a guest, will you have enough cour­age to let them? Will you be able to stay in bed and let your eight-year-old and his overnight guest fix their own breakfast? Will you have tact enough not to comment on the untidiness of the kitchen afterwards? You will have two happy children if you can.

There are, of course, definite rules of the house children of all ages should certainly know. While they must feel free to invite friends home, they must also realize they cannot ask friends to meals, for over­night, or to a party without checking first with mother. And, after a while, gently instructed by you, they will learn not to ask your per­mission in the presence of the desired guest.

entertaining children
You needn't, of course, be a parent in order to entertain for children. Godparents, aunts and uncles, all adults who are lucky enough to have young friends and relatives, occasionally wish to entertain them. Fre­quently the problem is how to entertain them. The best way to begin is the most direct: ask the child himself what he would like to do. Or, if you want to make the decision yourself, think about it this way: what would be most fun for this child, what is it he rarely has a chance to do? Eating lunch in a cafeteria might be the greatest treat, or, for a country child, an afternoon in the park playground. Almost without exception it's possible to entertain children well without spending much money and without elaborate plans. All the equipment you need consists of a a sympathetic ear and a little ingenuity in fulfilling their wishes. (A good night's rest and a comfortable pair of shoes are equally useful.)

children at grown-up parties-not entertained or entertaining
In general, children do not belong at adult parties. Too often they are either shy or they show off. Intelligent parents realize their children are not wonder children to other people. But more than that, at a party adults want adult conversation and behavior. They don't want to spend much time with children. One important arrangement before a party is to make plans for your children to have a fine time somewhere else.