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Lakeshore Advance, 2011-08-17, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesda opinion ust 17, 2011 www.lakeshoreadvance.com ashore Adana PUBLISHED WEEKLY RO.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: (advance®bowesnet.com U MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/Advertising Manager ndlfford©bowesnet,com LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor Iadvance©bowesnet.com STEVE NORTHEY Advertising Sales MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales JULIE HARRISON Typesetting/classifieds KATHY YOUNG Accounts Receivable www lakeshoreadvancacom SUBSORIPTION RATEB ADVANCE; Regular $39.96 (38.05+1.90 GS1) OMbs subscriptions avaMabla-MMR miss Publications Mail Agreement No. 80064663 RETURN UNOELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEFMTMENT PO.Box 1195 58 Ontario St. North Grand Bend ON NOM 1 TO For any non -de Iverles or delkery concerns: phone: 519-238.5383 e•maM: le dvanceOboweenet.com Chows of &Mew orders for wbsaatlons. and undeliverable copies (Mum garage guerentsed) w is be Nit to Lakeshore/Awe at the address Indicated here. Advertising 1 accepted on the condition that In the rant of a typographical error, he porton of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item logsew with a reasonable allowance for signature, wail not be chimed for, but the balance of he advertise. meat will be paid at the applicable rates. We acknowledge the Mandel support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPP) for our publishing activities. Canada AMambaoala NowiliswrOso M Craft Comm* Ilrowsa, red ns orAr+o Comm* Nivaprpns AnoGMlon Are You an Umbrella Parent? Dr. Henry J. Svec For the Lakeshore Advance The radio announcer could not stop talking about something you have likely heard and witnessed many tithes. A child in public was having a hissy fit, assaulting adults because they did not get their own way. In this case, the story was of an 8 -year old girl, pepper sprayed by police beeause she refused to set- tle down when they asked. You have likely witnessed many situations such as this where children are used to getting their own way ALL the time, and therefore, unable to handle the realities of being told "no" or stop. l call the parenting strategy that is nurturing this generation of "entitled" children, Umbrella Parents. Umbrella parenting has as its goal the sole purpose of protecting a child from the realities -failures of life. Not even rain should fall on their pristine styled hair. I lere are seine characteristics of this parenting style. Is this you'? 1) You go out of your way to make sure your child never, and 1 mean never, is disap- pointed. You always say yes to any request or find ways to get to yes by negotiating. Even 3 year olds have choices and are asked to make them. 2) You want to be your child's friend, not authority figure. You forget that parents are the top authority figure in any home as long as they are alive. 3) Discipline is something you despise. Children should not have to be made to work, save their allowance to buy something they want at a later date, or learn to share with those less fortunate. lhey should have what they want, when they want. Punish- ment or logical consequences for misbehav- iour are not acceptable to you. It Is all about keeping them happy. 4) No structure, no expectations, because being a child means it is their time to play, to discover. 'they will grow up soon enough. 5) You do not teach your children to respect authority figures or adults. You toler- ate disrespect because you believe that eventually they will grow out of it. You laugh when they hit you or curse at you. 6) When it comes to your child, you believe that life should be fair. Every teacher, coach- ing or life decision that impacts your child must result in their favour or you will fight tooth and nail to make it so. If you are an Umbrella Parent, you have forgotten the main job you were given when your child was born. 'Ib prepare them to succeed and survive in life when you are no longer able to protect them as an umbrella does during a monsoon rain. Is it raining in your house? Next time I'll give you some tips on how to turn things around. letters to the editor Student Remembrance tour flea neighbour: In April 4, 2012, as part of our school del- egation, We will be joining thousands of Canadian students and teachers for the Vimy Ridge 2012 National Student Remem- brance 'lour. 'Ibis tour will celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in WW1, where 3,598 Canadian soldiers died. As part of our pre -trip curriculum, we will be matched with a soldier who died during the campaign, and will be undertaking research to leans more about the soldier and their life, including any local connec- tions. Our school will be visiting the major Canadian cemeteries in Europe as part of the tour. As part of our fund-raising activities, we will be collecting aluminium cans, beer cans, liquor bottles on a hi -weekly basis (Sunday night before recycling day). With your donations, you will be helping us raise the necessary funds to attend this historic educational opportunity of a lifetime 'Ibis fundraiser will begin on duly 24, 2011 and continue until March 25,2012 . If you would like contribute to our fundraiser, please call us at and i we will be glad to deliver a supply of recycling bags to your home and arrange the pick up time which is convenient for you. If you have any questions, you can phone my school and speak to my teacher, Mr. Charland at(519)542-1055. With thanks, Your support will be greatly appreciate. Andrew , Hayden and Emma Gamelin (Grand ch ldrens of Bob and Joann Mac Eachem) Ecce Secondalre Saint -hands Xavier Maybe the process is the issue says reader regarding Dowson audit Regarding the 2010 campaign expense audit issue facing the Mayor of Bluewater, as reported in the August 10/11 issue of this paper. Clearly, the amalgamation process forced on the municipalities of Bluewater has not worked and, it would appear, will not work. This audit request can best be described as the end product of male bovine incomplete metabolism. The dysfunctional ward system within our amalgamated municipality illustrates that the rift between urban and rural resi- dents is too wide to be bridged. Since amal- gamation in 2001, our municipality's oper- ating expenses have increased at a rate triple that of inflation. The bureaucracy has increased, the regulatory process has wors- ened and the total number of municipal employees has increased. Amalgamation is proving to be an increasingly inefficient method of govern- ing. The past election obviously has done nothing to bridge the territorial divisions created by the ward system. The "tak- ers" would appear to be overtaking the "makers" The time has come to de - amalgamate. Let's start that process imme- diately. This current method of governance is not sustainable! If this audit clears Mayor Dowson of any intentional wrong doing, l would hope that the obviously disgruntled electoral loser, Mr. Ferguson, will be held responsible for all costs relating to this infantile audit debacle. Bev Hill Varna, Ontario From the tower "i think I'm drowning! What should! do?" Even the strongest swinmmer can get into trouble, Unfortunately, many people over estimate their swimming ability and treat the lake as a big swimming pool. But our lake has no lines painted on the bottom, no lane rope to hang onto or keep you swim- ming straight, and no buoy line to mark the drop-offs. Iden a one foot wind chop can cause someone to catch a wave in the mouth and ruin a fun swim. So here are a couple survival techniques to use when you find yourself in trouble. 'l'ry to remain calm. Tense muscles and fast breathing can change a person's natural buoyancy and make it easier for them to sink. Instead, try to relax and float for a sec- ond while you catch your breath. Lungs full of air will help you float. Bob to safety. Many people that the beach patrol rescue each year are in water that is only a couple inches over their head. If you can bob under water and push off the bottom, you may be able to hop yourself forward to shallow water. Cough under water. This might sound kind of silly, but lifting your head out of the water uses a great deal of energy. Instead, take a breath in when your head is clear, float, and cough under water. Scuba divers do this when they swallow water. 'They don't swim up from 90 feet just to cough. Wave and call for help. If you are in diffi- culty and need assistance because you have cramped up, tuna toward a lifeguard tower, wave or call for help. Most of the time you will see the Beach Patrol jumping to come get you, but sometimes we are watching you through the binoculars trying to deter- mined gym' are playing or not. I've been swimming, surfing, playing, and performing rescues in some pretty crazy water conditions and wondered many times why someone else was drowning while 1 was having fun. My Beach Captain pointed out to me that the main difference was the attitude with which we entered the water. 1 went in expecting to get a splash of water in my mouth and have a current pull me off my feet. When it happened, I didn't panic and got my self out of difficulty. So, assess your swimming ability and then take it down a notch, everyone overes- timates their skill, especially with a Great Lake. Swim with a buddy. Keep children within arms reach. Stay dose and stay safe. Scott Ruddle