Parental guidance
PARENTAL GUIDANCE
Excerpts from recent posts on the Parents’ Council blog at www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/parents/
Lunch at school: “Our daughter does not have what we consider to be sufficient time to eat her lunch. Last year, she would tell us how much food she wanted, we would put it together, and then half or more would come back home. After eating with her a few times, I could see why. Darned if I couldn’t get my lunch down fast enough either.”
Seeing triple: A story last week about triplets has generated lots of feedback. Seems just about everyone knows someone with twins or triplets who has grappled with the question of whether to keep the kids together in the same class or split them up. Let’s hear from parents of multiples the decisions they’ve faced and how they’ve handled them.
KIDS’ CORNER
What’s on tap for the week; find more kid-friendly events, including library story times, at www.spokane7.com/events/
TUESDAY
Family Story Evening – Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed toy or blanket. 7 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main. (509) 926-6283.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Valley Home Scholars Open House – For homeschooling parents and anyone considering home education. Workshops, how-to information and a new and used curriculum sale. Free. Friday, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Eastpoint Church, 15303 E. Sprague Ave. (509) 299-7428 or email kellib@att.net.
IFMA Freestyle Motocross – Two shows, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Spokane Arena. Tickets $5 to $25, available by calling (509) 325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com.
Gamefest 2006 – A 24-hour LAN party runs from noon Saturday to noon Sunday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. $20 advance registration, $25 at the door. (509) 742-9388 or www.spoklan.net.
Partners for Pets at Mobius Kids – Learn about our animal friends as part of Animal Month at Mobius Kids, in the lower level of River Park Square. 1 p.m. Saturday. $5.75 general admission, $4.75 for seniors/military; free for infants under 1 year. (509) 624-KIDS or www.mobiusspokane.org
Hamster Ball Derby – Furry critters race to the finish line at area Petco stores on Saturday. Prizes awarded. Warm-ups at 1:30 p.m., race begins at 2 p.m. Visit your local Petco for details or log on to www.petco.com.
Front Porch Book Sale – Books of all sorts just 25 to 50 cents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Library, 201 E. Harrison Ave. Proceeds support youth programs at the library. (208) 769-2315.
THE SLICE
Hey, kids!
It’s time to face facts. If you intend to feign illness to get out of going to school, a hokey cough and vague allusions to a “stomach ache” just aren’t going to cut it anymore.
You need a plan, especially if you reside in a household where all the adults work outside the home.
So here are a few helpful hints.
1. Be specific about your bogus sickness: Don’t just mumble something about hantavirus or bird flu. Instead, try referring to your certainty that you have an elevated white-cell count.
2. Casually mention that some of your playmates recently came down with Spokanthrax.
3. Resist the temptation to overact. A little moaning goes a long way.
4. Be patient about your miracle recovery. Wait until at least noon to get better.
Paul Turner