Guidelines for parents include understanding about their gifted child's varying rates of growth; the importance of promoting well rounded growth; the need for a compatible peer group; ways to deal with the child's striving for perfection; and approaches to helping the child develop a philosophy of life. (CL)

Research is reviewed on interaction between fathers and their handicapped infants, and approaches are suggested to enhance the interaction including opportunity to share concerns with other fathers. (CL)

The article reports on the organization and implementation of a "Special Needs Awareness Month" in Quincy, Massachusetts. Noted are the heavy involvement of parents in the multiagency planning committee, and the resulting citywide displays, publications, programs, and publicity on children with special needs. (DB)

The author presents some considerations in deciding whether parents should shield the child prodigy from publicity. The advantages and disadvantages of publicity for children at various age levels are pointed out and suggestions for parents are offered. (SW)

The author, the mother of a mentally retarded son, relates problems in obtaining educational and recreational programs for her child who is now over 21 years and no longer eligible for public schooling. One of the frustrations she mentions is being placed on long waiting lists for services. (SBH)

A parent of gifted children discusses hardships and challenges in dealing with gifted children and makes practical suggestions for living with them. (CL)

Parents of 30 children with phenylketonuria, classified as being in good or poor dietary control, engaged in verbal and written problem-solving situations under conditions of both high and low time-pressure induced stress. Overall, compliant parents gave higher quality verbal and written problem-solving solutions than noncompliant parents.…

The paper reviews literature on the process of mentoring the creative child, adult, or prodigy, and discusses differences in mentoring the "creatives" as opposed to other proteges. Emphasized are the importance of early identification of the creative child and the role of parents as mentors. (Author/JDD)

Asked 71 parents of children aged 3 to 13 years what they would answer if their children asked "What is war?" or "What is peace?" War answers were more likely to outline what people do, whereas peace answers were more likely to outline what people feel. Fathers as educators and sons as students amplified this war/peace contrast. (Author/NB)

A review of the research literature on parents with disabilities and their nondisabled dependents found only 93 references since 1975 and, particularly, very little research on the effects of disability on the parents. (DB)

Offers 10 suggestions to help parents encourage their children to eat more complex carbohydrates. Suggestions include microwaving baked potatoes; baking whole-grain breads; snacking on gingersnaps, fig bars, pretzels, or vegetable sticks; mixing cereal into low-fat yogurt; and making soup containing beans, rice, pasta, or potatoes. (SM)

Notes that studies on transition to parenthood and parent-infant relationship have investigated role of father. Sees family systems perspective focused on triadic and family-of-origin effects in early parenthood. Introduces object relations theory and self-psychology, which permit development of concept of psychic parental coalition, seen as…

Notes that, in Nigeria, the death-awareness movement is new and the subject of death is still taboo. Sees women as occupying middle place between life and death. Offers rationale for death education in home and delineates role of mother with regard to death. Identifies likely problems mother may encounter in course of discharging her death duties.…

Examined tasks mothers of adopted special-needs children undertook to prepare for parenthood. Found mothers engaged in tasks related to learning about the child and participating in training. Overall preparedness was positively associated with assessment of child and family functioning. Findings pose implications for adoption preparation programs.…

Critiques an article that appeared in an earlier issue of this journal on language choice and raising children in bilingual households. The author of that article responds to these comments. (Author/VWL)