When I saw this, written by Annie Korzen and published in the AARP Bulletin (May 2016), I alternated between chuckles and nodding in agreement. Because I like to keep my posts short, I’m dividing this up into a few, spread-out posts. If you’d lke to see Part 1, go to http://www.jackieodonnell.net/2016/05/11/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-1/ and Part 2 at http://www.jackieodonnell.net/2016/08/10/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-2/
I’m a new grandmother [says Annie Korzen], but am I cut out for it? Look at how differently I raised my son from how he’s raising his.
Summer vacation — Then: One week at the country home of elderly relatives. Now: One week at the home of Pliny the Elder–in Pompeii.
Discipline — Then: “I hope your brats are twice as bad!” Now: “Schuyler, I’m not disappointed in you personally; I’m disappointed in your action of setting the cat on fire.”
Clothing — Then: Hand-me-downs, like that pink tutu my son still holds against me. (Hey, the price was right!) Now: That Dolce & Gabbana outfit was just $575?
Entertaining — Then: Kids sat at the kids’ table, where the rule was “No comments from the peanut gallery!” Now: Kids join the guests at the dinner table. The conversation is with and about them.
Teenagers — Then: You wisely minimized contact with these known sociopaths. Now: Weekly family visits with a therapist to prevent drug addiction, unsafe sex or eating disorders.
[And there you have it. But who cares abnout the generation gap? Grandkids are GREAT!]
