Advice We Like Is Best Advice

Funny how when you’re actually interested in hearing what others have to say about something, you give the most credit to the advice that sound good to you.

Example: A colleague’s daughter recently had the chicken pox. Being a parent of a youngster, of course I had to ask, “How bad was it?”

Never mind the others I asked this question to, who replied with horror stories about itchy scabs in ears and under eyelids.

I was truly inspired by her comment, “They didn’t itch.”

Recess bell. According to one person hip on the issue, as many as 40 percent of school districts nationwide are considering doing away with recess during the school day.

Those who oppose recess say kids need more structure in their lives and the time would be better spent on organized activities or more learning.

Call me crazy, but let’s think about the teachers for a minute. Maybe recess is more for them than the kids. Show me a parent who wouldn’t love the chance to ring a bell, open the door, say, “It’s recess time,” and revel in the 20 minutes of peace and quiet.

Are you prepared? For anything? My father, we joke, is. The end of the world (which, hey, might be as early as next year if Y2K lives up to its image), no prob. Dad has already thought it through. Which is why I think my father and others like him would really enjoy a new guide that helps families prepare (for everything).

“Home Safe & Sound” features articles and tips about everything from planning for severe weather to planning for the first time you leave your kid home alone. In between are countless reminders about smoke detectors, carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical cords. You can get a copy of the magazine by sending $1.50 to Home Safe & Sound, Free Offer 4-1, P.O. Box 6960, Villa Park, IL 60181 or visit www.eSafety.com on the Internet.

Diaper debate. Back when my not-so-little guy was truly little I marveled at how fast he was climbing up the diaper chain. Seeing him outgrow his size 3s and then size 4s before he was a year old, I worried out loud to a friend, “What if he outgrows size 5 before he’s pottytrained?” It was a real concern. A short time later Pampers came out with size 6. Fears abated.

But I’m tired of the bickering going on about whether the creation of size 6 diapers is sending the world into a downward spiral because, as critics of the larger size argue, parents are going to use them as just another excuse to not pottytrain their kids until they’re in college or something like that. I’m sorry, but I think most parents look forward to the day their child is pottytrained. It means no more changing diapers and saving loads of money.