We each create our own self image. Whether you are your own person or let others define you is essential with coming to terms with who and what you believe yourself to be.

Our sense of our physical, emotional, social, intellectual, psychological and moral selves contributes to that larger picture. Talk positively to yourself using the language of a kind and supportive person. Visualize this person and hear their voice as you begin to make it your own.

Below are Sanity Savers to help you maintain a healthy self image:

• Don't underestimate your own potential
• Go "out of the box." Try something new and different
• Look at your accomplishments
• Put your energy into focusing on your strengths
• Find and follow positive mentors
• Listen and trust your inner voice
• DO NOT spend time with people who do not respect your values
• DO spend time with people who care about you and whom you care about
• DO NOT accept other people's opinions of who you should be
• DO be open to developing or renewing a fulfilling and spiritual life
• Meditate regularly.

April 8, 2005 (8:30pm)
"Adult Children and Their Parents: Changing the Dynamic and Getting Along"
Canyon Ranch: Lenox, MA

April 12, 2005 (10-12:00pm)
"Social Issues for the Child with Hearing Loss"
Beth Israel Hospital, NYC

April 19, 2005 (11-2:00pm)
I'm OK, You're My Parent's Author Luncheon
NJ Chapter of the National Women's Division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Cedar Hill Country Club: Livingston, NJ

My new book, co-authored with Annie Gilbar, Wedding Sanity Savers: How to Handle the Stickiest Dilemmas, Scrapes, and Questions that Arise on the Road to Your Perfect Day will be in bookstores on June 7th but you can pre-order it today by clicking below.

Addressing the psychological pitfalls that go with getting married, Wedding Sanity Savers shares questions and answers from my advice column on WeddingChannel.com and offers brides, grooms and their families a helpful guide during the wedding process.

With 66 % of all grandparents living more than a day's drive away from their grandchildren, finding ways to stay in touch with long distance family is challenging. Take the initiative to maintain a close bond with your grandkids because more likely than not their lives are busy enough. If possible, visit them regularly (and offer them the invitation to visit you) because nothing beats face-to-face contact.

In-between visits, maintain your relationships with the following TIPS.

• Frequent and Varied Communication: Frequent phone calls help us stay in touch. But don't forget about sending letters in your own handwriting, greeting cards with enclosures (stickers, cartoons, articles from the newspaper), postcards and audio/video tapes (read or tell a story so they can hear your voice and see you "in action".)
• Kids Love Technology: Become computer savvy and let technology work for you. Use e-mail, instant message, web-cams and exchange digital photos. You can even "surf the internet" together and help with school projects!
• Find Things to Communicate About: After opening up the conversation with "How are you doing?" establish a bond with something that is "just yours" to talk about. Share a hobby. Knowing what your grandchildren are interested in makes conversation more interesting. If your grandson loves baseball, be sure you read the stats and call to talk about how his favorite team is doing. If you cook together when you visit, talk about a tasty culinary tip.
• Connect with Stories and Family History: Make an emotional connection by sharing favorite stories such as "Did I ever tell you about your grandma's and my first date?" Offer information about your family history and traditions such as, "Let me tell you the story about my precious candlesticks."
• Set Goals: Make a plan with your grandchildren and their parent's to stay in touch so everyone knows what to expect.

The first week in April is Literacy Week which promotes the importance of reading to kids and having them develop a relationship with books.

Sponsored by Jumpstart for Young Children, a national non-profit that trains college students to provide a year of one-to-one tutoring to preschoolers from low-income backgrounds, the week will be filled with corporate executives, public officials, and celebrities reading to preschoolers across the country.

And on April 21st, Jumpstart will be hosting its annual Scribbles to Novels cocktail and dinner fundraiser featuring best-selling authors Amy Bloom, Michael Cunningham, Linda Fairstein, Al Franken and Matthew Pearl in a celebration of the written word. Tickets are still available through kate.scrauth@jstart.org.

Participation in each of these important events sends a powerful message that education - particularly early education - is of fundamental importance.

We can change the world, one child at a time.

I'm Ok, You're My Parents: How to Overcome Guilt, Let Go of Anger, and Create a Relationship That Works is now in paperback!