JCC Summer ComP3

Av i 1998 JCC

EdItoR's NoTe

"mu SUMMER
CAMPS R

A Camping Tradition
Since 1935

Something fun
for everyone!...

JCC Summer Camps offer
a wide variety of exciting fun-filled
camp choices for children and teens
pre-school through age 14.

Kick-Boxing • Golf
Lacrosse • Obstacle Courses
Rock Climbing • Pool Slide
Sand Volleyball Courts
Horseback Riding • Mountain Biking
Sand Boxes • NFL Flag Football

Session I • June 22-July 16
Session II • July 20-August 13

Transportation provided
from designated areas.

-

The JCC Summer
Camps Open House
will take place at both JCC locations
on Sunday, March 22 from I2-3;30
Meet the camp directors, participate
in fun activities and tour the c amp site
(weather permitting).

For a detailed brochure, please call one
of our two convenient locations in
West Bloomfield (248) 661-1010
Fc, or in Oak Park (248) 967-4030.

The Jewl5h Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit

2/6
1998

66

D. Dan & Betty Kahn B4rlding.6600 W. Maple Rood. West Bloomfield
Jimmy Prentis Morris Building . A. Alfred ToaDmon Campus. 15110 W.Ten Mr1e Rood. Ook Pork

"whineitis," and if so give her an
ecently my daughter celebrat-
M&M or two then send her off with
ed her sixth birthday, and we
something to do. Just as there is
had a big party in our base-
nothing wrong with an adult at times
ment/playroom.
indulging in fattening but necessary
In-between games and penny
pleasures (like an entire box of cook-
hunts and cake, I would ask the chil-
ies), so, too, sometimes there's noth-
dren to be as quiet as they could,
ing quite so necessary to a child as
and then as loud as they could. At
a
chocolate-peanut pill.
one point I asked if anyone knew
A
third idea, which has met with
how to- whine, and they all promptly
tremendous response in our home, is
delivered a horrendously appropri-
humor. As my children begin to
ate response.
whine, and I begin to feel my flesh
Hearing that whine delivered by
crawl, I stop them in mid-sentence
20-some girls reminded me of a let-
and announce, "Look, let me spare
ter I had neglected. Some months
you
the effort. I'll go through the
ago a reader wrote and asked for
whole routine myself." I then pro-
help with a certain problem. "Do
ceed to do both my voice and the
you have any ideas about how I
voice of my child: "But I want to
can get my kids to stop whining?"
watch more TV!" (said in the whini-
she asked. As the mother of three
est of voices). "Well, you can't
small children, my heart went out to
because it's bedtime." "But I'm not
her. And, as those of you who have
tired!" "I'm sorry you're not tired, but
ever read my columns know, I am
it's still bedtime ... " on and on like
an expert on absolutely everything,
that, until I have completed the
so naturally I have some ideas.
entire, oh-so-familiar scenario. But
My first bit of advice is to stop that
be worned: Your children may grow
insufferable whine before it starts. As
to
love this one.
a parent you often know the special
Often, I hear my own son and
times that will prompt the dreaded
daughter
call, "Do it again!" after I
whine. When I sense such moments
have run through the whole pro-
coming, I drag out the tape recorder
gram.
Usually I give in because
and call, "Let's dance!" Our favorite
how can you say no to children
number on these occasions is Benny
who
have the ability to laugh at
Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing."
- themselves?
How ironic, and how satisfying
My last bit of advice is powerful
that I once read that Goodman and
indeed; and you should never, ever
many members of his orchestra often
let your children in on the method
complained that they were sick and
behind this madness. As you most
tired of playing that great number
certainly
know by now, if there's
— in short, they whined about it.
anything you don't want done, just
If you've failed to nip that first little
ask your children to do it. So the
whine in the bud, however, try the
next time your daughter starts up
old candy routine. My sister is my
with, "ButJennifer got one of those
closest pal, but she's unlike me in
new Beanie Babies so why can't I
many ways. Where I am obsessed
have one, huh? Why can't I?" just
with cleanliness and order, she has
say, "Oh, honey, would you please
her very own style of "housekeep-
whine for me?" That certainly will
ing." And while I consider a
take care of the problem.
Butterfinger a healthy meal, she now
tells me that while baking she's
replacing white sugar ("it's so
unhealthy") with molasses and
applesauce. Don't be like this. If
Elizabeth Applebaum
your child starts whining, ask if she's
AppleTree Editor
suffering with the dreaded