I was very shaken. I’ve seen news of mass shootings in various cities. I’ve prayed for the victims and their families and felt a lump in my heart for them. But this was different. My son and his girlfriend decided at the last minute not to go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival. If they had gone, they would be there when the shooter killed three people, including a 6-year-old, and injured a dozen others. Life is such a precious gift, one we must make an effort to protect from the rampant violence in our country. Each of us must put pressure on our lawmakers to make fair and equitable laws that address issues of mental health, gun safety, responsible gun ownership. In our own lives, we must confront violence in any form we encounter—bullying, domestic violence, road rage, animal cruelty, taunts on social media—because those things perpetuate the culture of violence that is killing our loved ones and our souls.
Tag Archive for son
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!]
Let Children Unearth an Old Idea
Children of all ages love to discover things, even more so as they get older. Tell your teenage son, for example, that it’s important to care for the earth and he’ll tell you how old and uncool you are; let him discover it for himself and he’ll think his generation invented the idea. Here’s where books come in. For young children, have environment-related picture and story books available for rest- and bed-times. Later, when they’re ready for browsing the library, lead them to books emphasizing earth-friendly themes. When it’s book-report time, suggest a paperback that’s interesting and easy to read, one that, incidentally, promotes caring for the earth. The librarian at school or the public library can suggest titles. Feel free to contact me for a starter-list of age-appropriate books. Maybe your children didn’t really invent the idea of caring for their planet, but they’ll become adults who will reinvent the world as a cleaner, healthier home for us all.
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!]