If I promise to tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone else?  How tempting is that offer?  Young kids, and girls especially, are notorious for sharing secrets.

My 11-year-old daughter is guilty of sharing someone else’s personal information.  It gave me the perfect opportunity to guide her on what should and should not remain a secret.  In today’s world of kid’s sharing plans of harming themselves or others, we as parents need to make it VERY clear what information is not worth keeping quiet.

If your child learns that a friend or fellow student plans to hurt someone else, even a threat - that information needs to be shared with an adult.  It’s not your child’s job to determine if the threat was “just a joke.”  Most kids will assume it’s a joke, or not take it seriously.  But we know most attacks on teachers, students, or schools was shared previously with someone who refused to take it seriously.

Likewise, if someone threatens (online or in person) to commit suicide, your child must pass this on immediately.  Just imagine how you would feel if others had known of your own child’s intentions, but didn’t do anything?  It’s better to be safe than at a funeral.

Just like my daughter, all children need to be instructed about what is a secret to keep, and what information needs to be shared with an adult - even if the other child makes your kid swear not to tell.  Without this very important parent conversation, your child may inadvertently participate in a tragedy.

I just spent a few days with a group of people who are so enthusiastic about life and kids, it makes me want to break into song - a camp song.  I was honored to present at the American Camp Association’s national conference in Denver. I love these folks. (Plus, it was the first time something I said was tweeted on Twitter!  Thanks to whoever that was.)

I did not attend camp as a child, but I wish I had.  It’s an extraordinary opportunity for kids to learn about themselves, develop independence, and create positive memories.  (Yes, I’ve encouraged my own daughter to attend camp!)  There are all types of camps in every region and price range.  What impresses me most is seeing how passionate the camp owners and staff are about kids.

Kids are usually up for camp, it’s moms who aren’t sure they can bear to be away from their kids that long.  We hold them back because we aren’t ready.  Yet, what a gift to our kids to say, “I believe in you enough to know you will do well without me.”  If you’ve never researched it before, consider summer camp for your kids this year.  Make sure it’s one accredited by the American Camp Association.

I’m halfway through my own social experiment:  Can I, the mother of one, successfully take care of four more kids for one week while their parents travel out of the country?  So far, so good!  We’ve survived one night of every kid crying because of missing their parents and one call from the school nurse for a bump on the head suffered at recess.

We’ve managed homework, baths, dinner, and three different school bus pick ups for kids ranging from ages 5-12.  My own child is in there somewhere too, and she’s loving it.  She thinks this is what it would really be like if she had siblings.  Of course, she has no idea about sibling rivalry, true sharing, and split attention from parents.

Since I’m staying at their house, I’m a bit out of sorts just trying to figure out where things are located.  But, it’s really interesting to see how another family operates.  My daughter takes a full hour to get ready for school in the morning while these kids are up and out the door in 30-minutes including breakfast.  I’m not sure what we’re doing at home that takes so long.

Also, they have a no technology rule Monday-Thursday.  So, no TV, Wii, games, or computer unless it’s school-related.  That’s pretty cool.  I haven’t watched TV either since I go to bed and read when they do.  Last night, we put the radio on and they had a blast just singing and dancing.  My daughter kept saying to me, “Mom, I LOVE it here!”  Perhaps our family of three will be quite boring after this.

I’m not use to the noise level for sure.  I lead a pretty quiet life I’ve learned.  Doing homework with five kids is LOUD.  They all talk at once, right over the other kid.  Honestly, I’m not sure what homework went out the door with what kid this morning.  I feel like I’m in a school lesson all my own this week!  If you have a big family, I’d love to hear your tips for making things run smoothly.

Moms of daughters, check out my latest article on relational aggression (mean girls)  in Akron Family Magazine! You won’t believe the lengths some girls will go to just to be mean.  Or, maybe you know…share your stories here so we can all learn how to help our daughters build better relationships.  For additional tips, I’ve published a new booklet just for parents called, “Dealing with Mean Girls.”

Meanwhile, I’ve convinced my daughter to forgo the slumber party for this year’s birthday and head for a water park with just one friend.  WAY less drama, I hope!  Depending on how this weekend goes, I may have enough new material for a book.  I’ll update you next week if I survive…

Did you ever see the movie (made from the book of the same title) The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio?  In short, it was about a housewife in the 50’s who was a talented writer with no outlet - except by entering contests.  In fact, Evelyn Ryan was able to take care of her entire family through her prize winnings by submitting and winning numerous jingle writing contests for products like soap, appliances, and food.  That was back when winning contests truly took skill versus luck through lottery.

Well, for all of you who are secretly talented just like Evelyn was, here’s your chance to show it!  Folgers Coffee is offering $25,000 cash for a 30-60 second video tribute that includes the melody and lyrics of its famous jingle, “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup.”

You have until February to be brilliant.  Here’s the website to enter:  www.bestpartofwakinup.com.  Good luck!