Writers, (Please response to this message at my Focus address: vance.fry@fotf.org )

For the October Tween Stages section of Thriving Family, we'll be taking a look at the importance of teaching tweens how to be personally responsible. This could cover a range of areas in life… school, chores, personal finance skills, etc. Do you have an effective, maybe even creative way, that you’ve taught your tween to be personally responsible? Is it the kind of idea other parents could use? I’d like to hear about it.

Each short article (true-life narrative) should be written to parents of pre-teen/tween children (8- to -12-year-olds). Articles should be written in first person, and they must have practical ideas that our readers can implement in their own parenting. (Tip: We generally select articles that are strong on the practical parenting side. Good stories are important, of course, but there must be some take-away value for our readers.)

Summary: What interesting and possibly creative ways have your taught your tween to be personally responsible? Department: Family Stages Due date: August 9th (note the tighter deadline for this article) Payment: $50 on acceptance Rights:  First non-exclusive Word count: 50-150 words Publication: November 2010

Thank you! Vance Fry