Author Will Present Tips On Raising Confident Child

Mon., March 6, 2000

Tina Carey Staff writer

Seattle author Karen Joslin will present a two-hour workshop for the parents of preschool children called “Six Steps for Raising a Confident Competent Child.” The workshop begins at 7 tonight at the Spokane Community College Lair-Student Center auditorium, 1810 N. Greene.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for the Jean Payne Scholarship Fund, which benefits low-income children and families participating in the Institute for Extended Learning cooperative preschool program. For more information call 533-3738.

* How’s your honesty? I’ve met parents who swear up and down that they never lie to their children. Not even small harmless lies. As hard as we try to teach children right and wrong, our behavior bends toward more untruths than we may be aware.

Parenting expert and author of “The Parent’s Toolshop” Jody Johnston Pawel says there are many ways we may be inadvertently teaching our children to lie:

* Having your kid tell a caller you’re not home when you’re standing right there.

* Making up excuses to the traffic cop about why you were speeding.

* Lying about your child’s age to gain free entry into special events.

* Protecting kids from upsetting news by telling them inaccurate details.

* Lying about an ex-spouse to gain the child’s loyalty.

* Asking “What were you doing?” Instead of “I saw you doing…”

* Failing to tell a salesperson she gave you too much change.

Pawel’s book is available at most national bookstores or by calling (877) 748-4541.

* Contest alert! Hey kids, you can ask your toughest question about the human body during the Lanacane Itching to Know Science Contest for elementary school students.

Ten winners will get approximately $200 each, computer software, a framed certificate and more. The overall winner will receive a three-day trip to the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.

Any child in kindergarten through sixth grade who is a legal resident of the United States may submit a completed entry form with science questions. One entry per student.

You can find a printable entry form at www.lanakids.com and mail it to Lanacane Itching to Know Science Contest, Lanacane Itch Information Center, P.O. Box 328-ITK, White Plains, NY 10602-0328 or enter online at www.lanakids.com. Deadline is April 20.

* New Web site: The Children of Alcoholics Foundation has launched a Web site for children of substance abusers.

The Web site, located at www.coa.org, is full of user-friendly information and contains sections for both teens and adults, as well as information for teachers, doctors, social workers and other professionals.

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