6A
FEATURES
Kids misbehaving isn’t cute
Dear Annie: Maybe I am erty is OK! What kind of
overly sensitive, but there values are we teaching our
are so many commercials young?
with children doing things
I grew up in the 1950s.
that they really should not If I had done something like
be doing, and it makes me that, I would have received a
wonder about the younger spanking. Spanking is now
adults who find this
considered
child
DEAR
cute. Currently, there
abuse. Parents need
is an ad for a travel
to use some alterna-
ANNIE
company featuring a
tive and stick with
teacher who is ready
it. If I see a child
for vacation. The
who is well-behaved
kids in the classroom
in public and near
are tearing up the
me, I try to com-
place. One kid is in
pliment the parent.
the fish tank. Others
I’m curious about
Lane
are beating the fur- Annie
your thoughts on
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
this. — Watching in
niture with bats and
Disbelief
sticks. I have seen
Dear Watching in Dis-
a commercial in which two
girls are kicking in the sides belief: I grew up in the 90s,
of an air conditioner because and I still don’t think that
it broke down. There is a children should be allowed
commercial in which two to act destructively or dis-
young boys who are being respectfully. I’m especially
baby-sat by their uncle concerned when I turn on the
destroy the house. They TV and see children being
jump on all the furniture, tear rude to teachers — who
up feather pillows. Grandma have one of the most import-
calls and asks, “Are we hav- ant jobs in the world. Why
advertisements feature such
ing fun yet?”
What kind of message behavior as if it were cute is
does this send to our chil- beyond me. But I think your
dren? Destruction of prop- practice of complimenting
the parents of well-behaved
children is a kind and upbeat
step in the opposite direc-
tion, and I encourage all my
readers to start doing the
same.
Dear Annie: I’d like to
add to your response to the
grandmother of the 7-year-
old who wanted to invite
only her new “besties” to
her birthday party, leav-
ing some of her old friends
out. You said to invite all of
the friends anyway because
kids change their minds all
the time and they might be
best friends again by the
next week. You were right.
Leaving children out, push-
ing them to the sidelines, is
a bad habit to get into. When
we do, we are often creat-
ing bullying and other dys-
functional behaviors that can
turn truly dangerous. And
it’s never too early to begin
teaching children to be kind
and considerate of others’
feelings. — Beth in Oregon
Dear Beth: A million
times yes. Empathy is a trait
that can and should be nur-
tured in children early on.
Thank you for your letter.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Boredom lacks the
fiery passion of other emotions, but it’s just as im-
portant as many of those super-charged feelings.
You won’t find your peak creativity, originality or
unique genius without tolerating some degree of
boredom.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Instead of ruminat-
ing about what went wrong back there, imagine
that it didn’t. Think of yourself as saying and
doing it the way you would have liked it to go. This
increases your chances of getting it right the next
time.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You lived your story;
you earned it! That doesn’t mean that you want
to tell it to everyone. In fact, you’ll be effectively
choosey in this regard, waiting for the right audi-
ence and the moments of maximum impact.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). If you’re only
partway into the situation, it will take energy from
the rest of your life and give you back nothing in
return. For a proper return you’ll have to ramp up
your commitment or get out completely.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Those who have
earned big-time results are the only ones who
can afford to talk a big talk — though, usually,
because experience has taught them the precar-
iousness of success and the value of modesty,
they choose not to.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If there’s any-
thing you need more of, it’s not money or fun,
it’s meaning. When meaningfully engaged you
become more yourself and yet somehow simul-
taneously more everyone else, too, melding with
the universal mind.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Love the mess.
Frame it as you would the artwork of a beloved
young child. In many ways, you are the parent
and the child all in one, and you’re in need of a
little praise and enthusiasm for the early attempts.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Comfortable ideas
about who you are will keep you interacting in
a certain way that may or may not benefit you,
let alone keep you interested in yourself. Trade
comfort for boldness, routine for adventure, worry
for curiosity.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may feel like you’re
being put on the spot today. If so, consider mov-
ing “the spot” off to the side a bit. The sideshow
will attract a crowd without having the same pres-
sures and liabilities of the mainstage productions.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The nature of market-
ing is hype. Since you’re being marketed to during
your every waking hour, it only follows to pick
up and use language of hype in your you-to-you
communications. Recognize it for the exaggera-
tion it is.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). True to his methodical,
consistent nature, the tortoise wins the race. Plod-
ding ever forward is harder than it looks — espe-
cially for those who are easily distracted (which is
everyone) — but it works. You can do this!
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When you laid
down the boundary for your friend, you had a
good reason. But the scene has changed and
so have the both of you. It’s time for some new
rules that better fit this current incarnation of the
relationship.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (June 29). You’re
becoming increasingly informed and in touch with
your surroundings and yet you’re not completely
tied to things as they exist. Parameters change.
You’ll come into a brand new scene and alter it
forever for the better. Affection and devotion will
be heaped on you in 2018. Travel figures prom-
inently. Sagittarius and Pisces adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 10, 3, 38, 34 and 40.