Treating nits
I read in the New Zealand Herald that parents are using animal flea treatments on their children, not to kill fleas, but to kill nits.
As a grandmother of five, not to mention a mother of three children, I have never ever needed to take such dangerous and ridiculous measures to control nits.
We used to have nit nurses visit schools and deal with the infestations of nits, but that was stopped because the experts said it shamed the children who were treated. Perhaps these experts thought parents would take on the job of regularly checking their children's hair. It seems they don't, or if they do, they don't bother to take the time to properly treat the child's hair.
The pharmacies in town have plenty of shampoos and conditioners for sale that promise to rid the hair of these pests, yet parents are instead choosing to purchase something for an animal instead and use that.
Perhaps we would have less problems with our young people if their parents treated them like humans instead of like an animal? Spending 20 minutes combing through your child's hair and removing the eggs is the only way to deal with lice, and that 20 minutes would be time well spent talking to your child, rather than putting poison on their heads while they play on the computer or watch television.
SUSAN JAMES, Rawhitiroa
Empty shops
I often came to Stratford and the surrounding areas to visit my extended family members. I have fond memories of those times, especially shopping on the main street of Broadway.
You can imagine my disappointment therefore, on coming back to the area this month for a visit and seeing so many empty shops. Those that are there do not offer much variety anymore and I wonder where local people go to purchase the things they need.
Having been in the area for just a few days, I had a list of things I wanted to buy yet could not find things as simple as a dress for my 7-year-old in the town. It seems there are plenty of op shops and $2 shops but very few stores offering much else.
What has happened to the Stratford I remember, where there were shops of children's clothes and toys, there was Deka, Globe and plenty of other shops.
Stratford has a very special place in my heart, but it looks like I will have to do my shopping elsewhere now.
D LAMB, Wellington
Thank you
Please would you print my letter to thank the young lady who so kindly assisted me when I fell and dropped my walking stick and bags while walking on Pembroke Rd.
While I struggled to get up and collect all the items that had fallen out of my bag, this young woman, who had two small children in a pushchair with her, stopped and took the time to pick up everything for me, as well as checking I was not hurt.
She then changed her plans, insisting on walking me home so she could carry my handbag and shopping bag.
I cannot thank her enough as I was shaken by my fall and would have struggled on my own.
J LEWIS, Stratford.
From the editor: What a lovely act by a member of our community. This made the week's made us smile list.