Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 March 2004 — Page 22

www.indiaMpolisrecorder.com

PARENTING TIPS FROM THE DESK OF JADA How to adopt a positive attitude with your kids (FeatureSource)— Remember Pollyanna? Parents who want to improve relationships with their children could take a few tips from this good girl who always looked at the sunny side. .3 Pe KS ed by M many in previous mBBBSM decades as a I “goody-goody,” Pollyanna and her J positive attitude |K withstood critical commentary and finally found favor with the masses. Today, “positive thinking” fuels a multi-billion dollar industry. “Positive thinking” books and seminars sell out across the nation. Medical science has even taken an interest, proving that a positive outlook can improve emotional and physical health. But adopting a “Pollyanna” attitude also has another important benefit; it can help you build relationships with your ki , s. “Kid’s don’t naturally think in a positive frame of mind,” says Erin Brown Conroy, mother of 12 and author of 20 Secrets to Success with YourChiId(Ce\tic Cross Communications, $16.95). “Parents have to teach children how to look at life in a positive way.” With nearly 30 years experience instructing children and counseling families, Conroy is a parenting columnist for Great Lakes Family Magazine, afrequent guest on radio shows, and a popular speaker who shares secrets that work so well, they might seem magical. Her free report “3 Ways to Get Your Child to Listen to You” is available at www.parentingwithsuccess.com. “Igrewup with‘hand-me-down’ clothes from mybigsister,"Conroy recalls an experience from her own life. “She was a popular cheerleader so I didn’t mind gettingher clothes. In fact, I looked forward to it. As long as nobody knew’ where the clothes came from, it didn’t matter.” “Our family is blessed to be on the receiving end of ‘hand-me-downs.’ Now I sometimes hear my kids complaining about having too many clothes as they try to stuff one more thing into the drawer. ‘What a great problem to have!’ I say. ‘You have so many clothes, you don’t know where to put them!’ I want them to look at the ‘problem’ and see a bigger picture of generosity and kindness.” Tohelpyourchildren learn howto look at the glass half full instead of half empty, focus on what you say. Ix-arn how to put requests in the positive instead ofthe negative and watch the difference it makes in your child’s response. Conroy offers some examples: Negative: “Don’t touch that!” Positive: “Please keep your hands to yourself." Negative: "Don’t run in the house!" Positive: “Please walk in the house." Negative: “Don’t hit your sister!” Positive: “Please treat your sister kindly.” Negative: “Don’t leave your books out on the floor!” Positive: "Please putyourbooks where they belong.” Conroy also suggests altering the way you give instructions and correct your child. Instead of focusing on what the child should not do, tell your child what you would like accomplished. When correcting, try saying, "I would like it better ifyou did this,” instead of“I don’t like the way you did that!” Most importantly, learn to listen to yourself. How do you respond to situations? Do you react positively or is your reaction more akin to the grim reaper? Practice thinking positively and begin to place things in a more positive light.

Community Service * Marriage Announcements • Social Clubs People^Tfends

Radio One's 6th Annual Women's Enrichment Expo

C SECTION

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2004

On Saturday Radio One held its 6th Annual Women's Enrichment Expo inside hails A and B of the Indiana Convention Center. During the Women's Enrichment Luncheon, hosted by the Indiana Black Expo, Judge Glenda Hatchett (above), known for her nationally syndicated television program, spoke In regard to the event’s theme, "Gun Crime Hits Home."

At the Indy Music Channel (IMC) booth, Renise Shobe, 19, sang the Ying Yang Twinz "Salt Shaker” song on karaoke. (Photo/E. Wheeler)

During the luncheon, area students were rewarded for writing essays High school essay winners with Catchings included (from left of Catchings) •describing how gun violence has affected their lives. Tamika Catchings (left) of Roya Porter, Whitney Price and Anna Christine Paul. (Photos/C. Guynn) the Indiana Fever presented awards to Junior high school winners (left to right) Sasha Bannister, Tiffany Jolly and Tracey Johnson.

Top: At the Women's Enrichment Expo the Midwest Urban Review Panel was held. During the review, panel judges critiqued local artist's music. Among those judges were (left to right) DJ Wrekk 1 of WHHH-FM, Lucky from Rap-A-Lot Records, and Jamie Bailey from Warner Bros. Records. Right: Radio personalities, Big Baby Kenny J and JJ from WHHHFM, both participated in the karaoke by singing Beyonce's "Me, Myself and I."

On Saturday the "Women in Entertainment” seminar was held with a panel of journalists. Panelists (left to right) Shannon Williams, editor of The Recorder; Cheryl Adams, anchor for Fox 59 News; Ericka Flye, anchor for WRTV Channel 6; and Terri Thomas of WIZF-FM radio station in Cincinnati, discussed ways to excel in the communications field.

Among the many vendors was the Mohammad booth who sold silver jewelry, purses, and shirts. Michael Bluitt (left) stopped by to purchase some silver being sold at the booth. At the Indiana Project Safe booth, volunteer Sam Mclver (right) looks for information to give to (Photos / E * Wheeler) Jasmine McNeely (left) who stopped by the booth to see what was being offered.

V i