We’re looking for parents to help parents

The job of raising kids is all the clichés you’ve heard wrapped into one lifelong commitment. And no matter the makeup of your family, there are challenges and rewards to raising kids that cross all demographics.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a single mom or single dad, a grandparent or aunt left to care for a child, an adoptive or foster parent, a gay or lesbian couple or a traditional husband and wife – when it comes to being a parent, we’re more alike than different.

We know the Inland Northwest is home to parents from all walks of life doing their best to raise good kids. Sometimes life weighs down on our efforts and makes us wonder what kind of world our kids will inherit. Other times we see all the beauty of the world through their innocent eyes and we feel like jumping to our feet and telling everyone.

In an effort to better reflect the common concerns and celebrations of Inland Northwest families, The Spokesman-Review is creating a Parents’ Council. We’re looking for a diverse group of parent volunteers who are willing to occasionally weigh in on current events and parenting trends, offer advice and suggestions, and help us uncover some glorious examples of Inland Northwest family life.

Interested? Send us a letter or an e-mail explaining why. Tell us about yourself and your family, and please share a parenting concern or problem you’ve dealt with. If you have favorite parenting books or Web sites or quotes, include them – they’ll help us get to know you.

And be sure to include your full name and a phone number so we can contact you. Send e-mails to laurac@spokesman.com or snail mail to Laura Crooks, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Questions? Call Laura Crooks at 459-5441.