As a parent, I’m trying not to give in to the panic that could result from reading and watching too many updates on the increasing number of people affected by the swine flu. The good thing is that plenty of experts and leaders are taking a serious but calm approach to be as cautious and safe as possible. Parenting magazine has a thorough rundown of how to approach the situation in its article, “Swine Flu: A Guide for Parents.” The number one suggestion is more frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of germs.

For this week’s Family Matters with Tracey Serebin, Tracey asked me about 5 tips dads might like to have before they have a baby. Listen in and hear about planning for paternity leave, managing all those well-meaning friends and family members who want to visit your exhausted household, and avoiding spontaneous expenditures that come from your overjoyed but non-budget-conscious state of mind. Tracey’s interview with me on her Internet radio program runs 30 minutes, following her segment with a mom expert. Log on to the new installment and click “Listen Now” or “Podcast.”

Bruce Kluger has long written about parenting and politics, though usually in separate situations. But the 2008 Presidential Election inspired him and his co-author, David Tabatsky, to reveal what kids see in the new president. Their new book is Dear President Obama: Letters of Hope From Children Across America, which contains almost 200 letters and drawings from kids in 29 states, of all walks of life, and from every region of the country.

The collection of letters began when Kluger and Tabatsky e-mailed friends with children, who then forwarded the e-mail to others. Within six weeks, the authors had received nearly 1000 letters. The final group of messages show how much children want to be a part of making a difference in the world, from easing poverty at home to helping those suffering in Sudan. Their voices reflect their dreams as well as the values they are taught by their parents. Learn more about this extraordinary volume of hope at the Web site, which features sample letters and videos from children.

To keep the messages going, please comment on this posting with thoughts your own children may have for our president.

With Spring Break upon us, I am a first-hand observer of all the chaos that breaks out when my boys have nothing better to do than pound each other in the head and see whose shoes can get most full of sand. So I’m ready for April 10, which is National Siblings Day!

If you’d like a bit of great advice on making siblings more harmonious, or at least occupied, you have a chance to win a signed copy of the awarding-winning The Siblings Busy Book: 200 Fun Activities for Kids of Different Ages. Simply email hkempskie@comcast.net with the subject line “siblings” by May 1. A winner will be chosen at random. In the meantime, visit the Busy Siblings blog for more tips and advice on sibling fun!