Tag Archive for raising

Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 3

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!]

Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 2

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 like to see Part 1, go to https://smthingscount.com/2016/05/11/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-1/.

I’m a new grandmother [says Annie Korzen], but am I cot out for it?  Look at how differently I raised my son from how he’s raising his.

TV  —  Then:  All hail the world’s cheapest babysitter!    Now:  No screen time before age 2; you wanna rot his brain?!

Birthdays  —  Then: Eating candy apples.    Now:  Gift bags from Apple.

Babysitters  —  Then:  You hired the teen next door, then prayed the house wouldn’t reek of pot when you got home.    Now:  Vetted by Homeland Security, then tracked by nanny cam.

Boomerang kids  — Then: “We changed the locks!”    Now:  Your college grad moves home while “looking for a job”–which suspiciously mimics playing video games.

[Watch for more, in Part 3.  And, grandparents, just enjoy the kids!]

 

Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 1

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’ll divide this up into a few, spread-out posts.  Enjoy!

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.

Passtimes  —  Then: eating, drinking, peeing and pooping, often simultaneously.    Now:  Swim classes at six months, gymnastics at one year.

Food  —  Then: Whatever could be mashed–like last night’s spicy meatballs.    Now: Gluten-free and grass-fed only, if you please!

Hygiene  —  Then: “Don’t let the baby eat anything that’s been on the floor longer than three hours.”   Now:  “You want to hold the baby?  Sure–mind wearing these surgical gloves?”

Halloween candy  —  Then:  “Because I’m the mother, and I say you can’t eat it all tonight.”    Now: Lovingly explain the glycemic index until Junior understands and accepts your point of view.

[Watch for more, in Parts 2 and 3.  And, grandparents, just enjoy the kids!]