The Gay Uncle’s second favorite newspaper journalist, Heidi Stevens, is starting up a new feature in the Sunday Tribune newspapers. It’s a column where parents write in with questions, and then other parents chime in with advice. (And then an expert–like Gunc–comes in and provides two more cents.) To get the ball rolling, Heidi has some starter topics, but is looking for parents who are interested in dishing out tips. Here are the first few queries:
*Your preschooler wants to wear her princess nightgown everywhere””summer camp, grocery store, the airport. How do you get her to shed the pink uniform and don some real clothes?
*Your 5-year-old refuses to pick up his room. Time-outs don”t work and you”ve tried taking away everything he cherishes””toys, TV shows, dessert. What now?
*Your heretofore loving, sweet-natured 3-year-old has started saying “I hate you”ť whenever she doesn”t get her way. How should you respond?
*Your 6-year-old pretends everything is a gun. How do you nip that in the bud?
If you’re interested in garnering fifteen lines of fame, and have practical ideas for remedying any of these, you can email your info and solutions directly to Heidi: hstevens@tribune.com