It is true that the ill child needs extra attention, but part of the "attention" should be in having the child derive satisfaction from contributing his share to running the household. It is important for the child to feel that he is contributing in some way toward helping the family. There are many chores that can be done while one is in bed. Make your child feel useful; give jobs that will be truly useful to Mother or to the entire family. Some of the following hints may sound like "made" jobs-not all should be. Remember that the important thing is to appreciate and acknowledge what the child does.

251. Wouldn't it save time at mealtime to have a box of paper napkins already folded and ready for use? An easy task for Johnny or Joan.

252. If there is a diaper-stage toddler in the family, the child in bed can be a big help by folding the clean diapers every day and piling them neatly.

253. Even a rather young child can relieve you of the job of polishing the silverware. Using a special silverpolishing cloth is an easy method and makes the least mess.

254. Here's another simple task that would facilitate your work-have your child wax the dustpan for you. If the dustpan is not new, be sure to wash it well before waxing. After a coat of wax is applied the dust will slide off easily. Your child can come in for some well-deserved praise for accomplishing such a task.

255. If you use paper doilies, let your child color the design with crayons-wonderful to use for parties, or for holidays during the year.

256. Wouldn't it be a big help to have some of those buttons sewed on-the ones that are always popping off? A boy or girl can be assigned this worth-while job.

257. Small drawers from bureau dressers or desks can easily be sorted and kept neat by a bedbound child. To arrange contents of drawers in the best possible way, use small boxes of various sizes. It wouldn't take long to save enough boxes to do a really apple-pie job.

258. Folding the laundry, sorting and rolling socks, is another occupation and a timesaver for Mother, too.

259. Every day there is the job of preparing vegetables for lunch or dinner. This daily task could be performed by your youngster-and quite safely, too, if a special paring knife is used. Shelling peas and stringing beans are possible tasks for even a very young child.

260. It is imperative to have a shopping list when there is illness in the home and your time is limited. During the day, as you think of items that you need, why not call them out to your child? He can write them down and keep your list for you.

261. Does your sewing box get messy? Threads get tangled up? Keeping it tidy is a good job for a child who is naturally neat. Good, too, for a child who needs to learn neatness.

262. How often do you say, "I don't know what to fix for supper"? A boy or girl can learn to plan menus. It will save time and thought for Mother and help keep the child occupied.

263. If shoelace tips are frayed, a child can do a good repair job on them. Just dip each end into clear nail polish or hot sealing wax.

264. A small but worthy task for your youngster would be sandpapering the soles of any brand-new shoes in the family to prevent "slipperiness. "

265. Your child can give new life to old playing cards that have become dirty by lightly dubbing each card with spirits of camphor. Moisten a small piece of soft cloth or a bit of cotton with camphor. Use another piece of clean cloth to wipe off any excess moisture and to polish the cards.

266. Is there a knitter in your home? What a great help it would be to have yam wound into balls.

267. Teach your child to comb hair and not just his own. Give him the responsibility of being "hairdresser" for younger brothers and sisters.

268. Is your family's personal phone and address book up to date and in order? Are there phone numbers written on bits of paper which keep falling out of your book? An older child will be of real help if he rewrites and organizes your phone book. Don't forget to include all those handy numbers of such people as your dry cleaners, laundry, your plumber, etc.

269. Even though a child is confined to home, he can still be the family's weather prophet via the radio, outdoor thermometer (if his bed is by the window) or a little weather house close at hand.

270. Teach an older child to keep the family accounts. Eventually he can make out money order slips or prepare checks for signing as well as addressing envelopes and stamping them the first of each month.