Organizations Available To Help

Dear Ann Landers: I’m a young, single mother. My daughter is 3, and I’m sure you know how challenging 3-year-olds can be. My problem is that I have no patience with her. I find myself yelling at her and spanking her too often. She is so scared of me that she flinches every time I get angry. I spend 24 hours a day with this child because there is nobody to take her off my hands for even a second.

I know this is wrong. I still resent my mother for yelling so much and spanking me when I was growing up. I swore I would never treat my own kids that way, but here I am, eating my words.

I’m afraid these small spanks on the behind will turn into abuse if I don’t get some help soon. I love my daughter more than anything, and I hate myself when I hurt her. I don’t want to discuss this with my family because I’m too embarrassed. I’m afraid to see a counselor because he might report me and the authorities would take my little girl away.

Please help me. - Impatient in Pennsylvania.

Dear Impatient: You are not alone. Many parents have this problem. I commend you for reaching out for help, but you need more than I can give you. Please write to Parents Anonymous, 675 W. Foothill Blvd., Suite 220, Claremont, Calif. 91711, or call 1-800-THE-KIDS. This is a splendid organization that helps people with your problem all the time.

Dear Ann Landers: I’d like to tell your readers how our 13-year-old daughter, “Denise,” was cured of bed-wetting. Three years ago, she spent a few weeks with my sister, who is a nurse. My sister would wake Denise up in the wee hours of the morning and make her use the bathroom whether she needed to or not. Denise would then go back to sleep. My sister kept pushing the hour back until she figured out that Denise could stay dry until about 6 a.m. From then on, she made Denise use an alarm clock, set for 6 a.m., and my daughter never went to bed without setting it.

When Denise came home, we gave her an alarm clock as a gift and got rid of the rubber mats that used to be on her bed. She was thrilled, and so are we. I hope some of your readers will find this information useful. - Relieved in Canada

Dear Canada: You have helped a great many parents today, and I want to thank you on behalf of all of them. You also have helped the children. Bed-wetting beyond 4 years of age can cause a child to feel embarrassed and ashamed. Your letter is sure to be a day-brightener for two generations.

Dear Ann Landers: Please set all those people straight who are convinced they get colds from drafts, cold weather or the lack of a coat. Colds come from viruses. Whether you’re naked or clothed, if you come in contact with that bug and your immune system can’t fight it - zap - it’s a cold. - Bugged in Santa Rosa

Dear Bugged: Of course you are right, but if you decide to go walking naked in a snowstorm, your immune system will weaken, and you may indeed get a cold.

Dear Ann Landers: Your correspondent who suffered from seasickness should try a merchant seaman’s remedy. It’s Coca-Cola and soda crackers. As an officer of military transports, I have prescribed this for dozens of sailors, and it has worked wonders. - Capt. John M. LeCato in Charleston, S.C.

Dear Captain.: Thanks on behalf of all those you helped today. May I add a P.S.? It doesn’t have to be Coca-Cola. Any carbonated drink - Pepsi, ginger ale or 7-Up - also will do the trick. I thought I’d better mention this because I happen to own a few shares of Coca-Cola and don’t want to be accused of you-know-what.