Author Will Talk About Family Issues
Stephanie Coontz, author and recognized expert on American family issues, will speak at Eastern Washington University on Thursday. Her talk titled “The Way We Never Were, The Way We are Today: Facing the Facts About America’s Changing Families,” will be at 7:30 p.m. in Showalter Auditorium in Cheney. Admission is free.
Coontz teaches Family Studies at The Evergreen State College in Olympia and has published six books on family history, gender roles and contemporary family issues.
* Say Cheese: Those pictures of children on Santa’s lap are priceless but sometimes they turn out less than perfect in the assembly-line approach to photos with Santa.
According to professional portrait photographers from Sears Portrait Studio, parents can do several things to help their child take a good picture.
The tips include:
* Keep clothing simple. Avoid busy prints that detract from the child’s face. Solid fabrics or small prints are good. Avoid abundant lace or frills, which may overpower the child or get caught in Santa’s beard.
* Dress your child in clothing that fits well and is comfortable. Avoid outfits that are too big and will bunch up or sag while sitting on Santa’s lap.
* Shoes should be clean and laces tied. For boys, match socks to shoes and for girls, match anklets or tights to skirts or dresses.
* Simple hairstyles with small barrettes or ribbons are best for girls, and haircuts look best if they are at least 48 hours old.
* Bring along a hairbrush and a damp washcloth for last-minute touch ups. A favorite small toy or stuffed animal the child can hold while on Santa’s lap may add a nice personal touch and help the child feel more secure.
* Speaking of photos: Microsoft is sponsoring the “Picture It! Holiday Web Page Contest.” Creating a family Web page can be a great way to share your year’s activities with friends and family, and win a family vacation for four to Universal Studios in Orlando at the same time.
Go to .bestholidaywebpage.com to get started on your site and enter to win. The contest deadline is Nov. 21. Finalists will be announced Nov. 30.
* Plan ahead: Whether your baby is still in diapers or a sophomore in high school planning for a college, education takes planning.
Take the first step with “Planning for College” a free publication from the MetLife Consumer Education Center and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Check the chart showing the estimated cost of a year of college for both public and private schools through the year 2014. The booklet offers strategies for funding your child’s tuition.
To obtain the free publication call toll-free (888) 878-3256, weekdays 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST and ask for Item 509G or send your name and address to Federal Consumer Information Center, Dept. 509G, Pueblo, CO 81009 or visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov.
* Cost of raising kids: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a middle-class family spends an average of about $301,000 to rear a child to age 18. Parents with an annual income of more than $59,700 spend an average of $438,000 per child, while lower-income parents (with less than $35,000 incomes) spend around $222,000.