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PARENTAL GUIDANCE
School is looming, and recent posts on The Spokesman-Review’s Parents’ Council Web log reflect that, including:
Paying for good grades? Some parents reward their kids’ good grades with money, right down to specific amounts for each A or B. Some say it’s a good way to teach kids that hard work pays off. Others cringe at the thought, saying kids should learn to appreciate the intrinsic value of education. What do you think? Weigh in at www.spokesman review.com/blogs/parents.
Homeschooling light. One member of The Spokesman-Review’s Parents’ Council wants to supplement her child’s public education with “extra math, geography, history, languages and science.” Log on and share your tips.
KIDS CALENDAR
Search for more fun things to do for kids and families at www.spokane7.com.
WEDNESDAY
Kids Safety Fair – From 4 to 7 p.m. for ages 5 to 11. Features extreme sports safety tips, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, games, prizes and bike helmet giveaways. Spokane Valley Mall. Free.
THURSDAY
EWU/Spokane Youth Orchestra Summer Camp Concert – Students perform chamber and symphonic works at their final concert. 6:30 p.m., Eastern Washington University Music Building Recital Hall. Free. (509) 359-7078,
SATURDAY
Auntie Violet’s Teddy Bear Picnic – Bring your favorite stuffed animal and make paper sack puppets and eat teddy snacks. 11 a.m. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Free, RSVP required by today. (509) 838-0206.
OKB Fest 2006 – Day full of entertainment including seven Inland Northwest bands, motorcycle stunt crew and an extreme skating competition. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m, Newport City Park in Newport, Wash. Free. (509) 671-2567.
ALL WEEKEND
Dog Agility Trials – Watch dogs show their stuff. South side of University Elementary School, 1613 S. University Road, Spokane Valley. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Spokane Falls Northwest Indian Encampment and Powwow – features dance contests, arts, crafts, food celebrating the American Indian people and Spokane River. Riverfront Park Lilac Bowl, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Free for spectators. (509) 998-7311.
North Idaho Fair – Fair kicks off Wednesday and runs through Sunday. Gates open at 9 a.m. $6 general admission, $2.50 for kids ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger. Parking costs $3. (208) 765-4969 or www.northidahofair.com.
THE SLICE
After you make it to a certain age, you start getting accustomed to the idea that things aren’t the way they used to be.
But some changes are easier to accept than others.
Did you know it is now not all that unusual to encounter parents in college dorms?
That’s right. Parents. In the dorm.
Talk about oil and water.
It used to be that the appearance of moms and dads was pretty much restricted to the weekend before school started and rare, special occasions thereafter.
Parental visits might have been more common in girls’ dorms. For the most part, though, a don’t ask/don’t tell policy seemed to guide parent/student relations back in the day.
But maybe this new approach works. After all, everyone has a cell phone now. So parents can take that all-important pre-visit step: Calling ahead.
Paul Turner