1. Talking With Kids About Violence [return to top]

The tragedy in Littleton, Colorado leaves parents and kids with fear and emotions that come from learning about the violent school incident. The Talking with Kids about Tough Issues parent booklet can help you communicate with your child about violence.

To learn more about talking with your kids about violence, visit:
* http://www.talkingwithkids.org/violence.html

2. TWK Expert, Dr. Richard Gallagher Talks With Parents [return to top]

At a recent parent seminar in Anaheim, CA, Dr. Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute Child Study Center, New York University Medical School, answered many of the parents' questions on talking to their kids about such tough issues. Here are some of the questions and answers:

Shelley Jacobs, 33 of Seal Beach: You say 8 to 12 is when parents should really begin talking. My 8-year old son looks so innocent. What’s too early to begin talking (about sex)?

Gallagher: You'd be surprised how much information often wrong information kids pick up. You don't have to get into everything at once. But make the most of small opportunities. If he asks about something he sees on the news, ask what he thinks about it, what concerns it raises for him.

Hector Saldivar, 39, Anaheim: I have five kids, ages 7 to 13. What happens when questions come up and we're in a group? Should I expose the youngest to all the information? What’s appropriate for what age?

Gallagher: The youngest will want the briefest bit of information. Answer (at his or her own level) first, then go ahead with more for the older kids. If you’re not sure, you can pull the older kids aside. But don't ignore the younger kids. And (later on) don't assume they absorbed everything on the same level as the older kids. Talking is really repeating and adding more as you go. You want your kids to feel comfortable. Research shows that when they get further into their teens, they will be more likely to turn to you than if you waited or never talked at all. Treat their ideas as important and with respect. Correct them very gingerly and watch your reactions.

Carla McIntoch, 43, Long Beach: I talk early and often to my 11 year old. My worry is what happens (in the teens) when peers take over?

Gallagher: This is why starting early is so important. The years form 13 to 15 are really difficult. They drift more toward their peers, they're difficult, moody. It's a really high-risk period. If parents stop struggling, kids drift more toward the negative. If they are too restrictive, they go even further. Avoid labeling their interests, friends and peers as bad, awful, horrible. Continue to talk and be sure to listen.

[Article as reported by Bonnie Weston of The Orange County Register.]

3. Parent Mini-booklet Available in Spanish [return to top]

Hable con sus hijos ... antes de que lo hagan todos los demas. Talk with your kids ... before everyone else does. The Talking with Kids about Tough Issues mini-booklet is now available in Spanish.

You can order your own copy by calling 1-800-CHILD-44 or finding it on our Web site at:
* http://www.talkingwithkids.org/spanish-index.html

4. National Survey Reveals Kids Are Ready To Talk About Tough Issues Before Their Parents Are [return to top]

The "big talk" is bigger than ever with kids wanting to know much more from their parents than just the "birds-and-the-bees." A new survey of parents and kids ages 10-15, finds that many families are still waiting too long and not talking enough when it comes to what their kids say they need to know.

What may surprise many parents is that the issues they are not talking about—as well as even some they feel they have already talked about—are what their kids want to know more about. High on a list of topics 10-12 year olds say they personally want more information about are:

• How to protect against HIV/AIDS (50% of kids want more information);
• What to do if someone brings a gun to school (50% of kids want more
  information);
• How to handle pressure to have sex (44% of kids want more information);
• How to know when you are ready to have sex (43% of kids want more
  information); and
• How alcohol and drugs might affect decisions to have sex (43% of kids
  want more information).

To obtain the complete survey:
* http://www.talkingwithkids.org/twk-press-release-030199.html

5. Susan Ungaro, Editor-in-chief, Family Circle Magazine, joins National Honorary Committee [return to top]

Susan Ungaro joins an elite group of individuals who are dedicated to helping parents prepare their children to deal with the tough issues they face everyday. In both their personal and professional lives, these individuals have demonstrated and prioritized a dedication to the issue. Journalist Linda Ellerbee, a familiar face among parents and kids from her work at Nickelodeon, chairs the committee. Other members include Rosie O’Donnell, whose mention of the campaign on her syndicated talk show last month prompted thousands of calls from parents, and Basketball star Kobe Bryant, delivered the campaign campaign’s message at a recent Laker game. Additionally, the committee includes industry leaders who use their expertise to provide up to date information and perspectives on the issue. These members include Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School and Herb Scannell, President of Nickelodeon. Dr. Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute Child Study Center at NYU’s Medical School and Lynne Dumas, author of "Talking With Your Child About a Troubled World," also recently joined the honorary committee.

For a complete list of the honorary committee, visit our Web site:
* http://www.talkingwithkids.org/about.html

6. TWK Television Public Service Announcements [return to top]

The Office of National Drug Control Policy has selected the Talking with Kids public service announcements (PSAs) to air on network and local television broadcast.

Watch for our public service announcements on your local TV station, or watch them on our Web site at:
* http://www.talkingwithkids.org/tvads.html

7. The California State PTA Endorses Campaign [return to top]

In a recent letter to Children Now, Rosalind Turnbull, president of the California State PTA, says that their organization "is concerned with the health and well-being of all children and youth and believes that parents have a responsibility in ensuring that children and youth have the ability to make intelligent decisions that will develop and maintain good health habits. Parents, and all adults, are responsible for the nurturing of children and must be prepared to constructively influence their development." The California State PTA, with over a million members statewide, will assist the campaign in sponsoring parent seminars.

Visit the California PTA on the Internet at:
* http://www.capta.org

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