Awarding Those Moms Who Play Nurse as Well

It may come as no surprise that when kids are sick, it’s usually Mom who stays home from work with them. According to a new survey by Children’s Market Research Inc., 85% of children said their mothers took care of them when they were sick. Only 6% named Dad. The rest cited nannies or other relatives.

The study was commissioned by Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, which makes Robitussin products and is going to make it up to some of those hard-working mothers with the Robitussin “Mom of the Year” contest with a first prize of $10,000 and a trip to Disney World. Mothers, fathers and kids may enter by submitting essays about how mom helps keep the family healthy during the cough and cold season. Entry forms are available at pharmacies and supermarkets and are due by March 15.

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

* A free support group for new parents meets from 7-8 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Greater Valley Medical Group’s Women’s Health Center, 10351 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills. For information or to sign up, call Cheryl Capella at (818) 898-2380.

SATURDAY

* The Franklin Haynes Marionettes will present “Hilarious Halloween Haunt” at 2 p.m. at the Santa Monica College Concert Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. The puppet show is the second in SMC’s “Afternoon Theater for Children” series. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children. Information: (310) 452-9396.

OCT. 27

* While parents compete in the home-baked pie contest at “Pie Bake a La Beverly Hills,” kids are invited to trick or treat at the vendors at the Beverly Hills Farmers Market. And there will be music and pumpkin judging. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the 200 block of North Canon Drive. To enter the pie contest there is a $5 fee and registration forms are due Monday. For details, call (310) 285-1048.

* With an accompanying adult, children can tour the Natural History Museum’s Dinosaur Hall, listen to dinosaur stories and sleep beneath the jaws of the museum’s dueling dinosaurs exhibit at the “Dino-Snores” sleepover. Information: (213) 744-DINO.

OCT. 30

* Children from preschool through eighth grade can dress as their favorite storybook characters for the costume contest at a Children’s Harvest Festival at the West Covina Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway. Festivities will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. Information: Denise Dilley, (818) 962-3541.

* A series of workshops titled When a Child Intermarries, sponsored by the West L.A. Counseling Center of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles and Kehillat Israel will meet on four consecutive Wednesday evenings at Palisades Lutheran Church, El Medio and Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades. The series will be repeated at other Westside locations. For further information, call (310) 473-8448.

NOV. 2

* “Spirits Rising,” a Day of the Dead celebration, will begin at 7 p.m. at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. El Vez will emcee the show featuring KABC news anchor Laura Diaz (in “Dead at Eleven,” a news comedy sketch), Luis Alfaro, Rosie Flores, the Roosevelt High School Dance Team and others. The event is presented by the Mark Taper Forum’s Latino Theatre Initiative. Tickets are $20, $12 for students and seniors. For ticket information, call (213) 628-2772.

* This family roundup appears on Sundays. Items to be considered should be mailed 3 1/2 weeks before the event to Aaron Davis, The Family File, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4888.