one cute thing happened. When the battery was being installed, I was standing there watching. I said, "gee that's a pretty battery." The attendant looked at me and give me that, "Another dumb broad." smile. But it was pretty, so there! Well, that takes care of the trip.

Now, to a subject that really worries a great many of us and how I have handled it. Should the children be told or should they be left in the dark? I have thought for some time that I was not giving our children a fair shake about Diana. We have a boy who is almost sixteen and a daughter almost fourteen, plus a five year old. I have felt for a long time that we were doing the kids more harm than good by not telling them about me. My wife did not agree so we did nothing but keep the doors locked and play hide and seek with them. I finally sat down with my wife and had a long talk with her. First off I pointed out that they certainly were aware that I was a little out of the ordinary to start with. I know that books have been left out at times, pictures of me not too well hidden, letters I forget to put away, etc.

Now to a very important point to consider. If you are a good parent, there shouldn't be anything to fear. Yes, but what is a good parent? That, my friends, is the real hard part to answer. I personally feel that if you are and have been a good parent, you'll just know. Sure, you can spoil a child with money or clothes, or just spoil them, but this doesn't make you a good parent, at least I don't think so. I think that if you give a great deal of yourself, give a big helping of love, mix in just the right amount of understanding, and pinch of discipline, you probably are a fairly good parent. If you are concerned with their problems and try to help solve them, speak freely about the pitfalls of too much necking without getting crude about it, etc., you probably are a fair parent. If you don't say yes to everything, just to get them to shut up and give you some peace and quiet; if you don't say no, just to say no, you may very well be a good parent. There are too many people who are small cogs in their jobs and are told what to do all the time. When they get in their little castle, they've got to show that there is someone else who has to toe the line, namely their children. I see it every day and probably you do too. Just don't be one of them.

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