Search Results for: blog too young grandma gets shafted at toy store

Honey Boohoohoo!

Hoohoohoo… Hear that? The sobs, wails and groans are a result of watching less than five minutes of TLC’s train wreck of a reality TV series, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” And by train wreck, I mean hit show, ratings Goliath, and sad reflection of society’s taste in entertainment. Millions of viewers tune in each week to mock the parenting skills–or lack thereof–displayed on the show which stars 7-year-old Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and her eclectic family: *June “Mama” Shannon, the 32-year-old mother of Honey Boo Boo and her three sisters. She’s also the GRANDMOTHER of baby Kaitlyn. Did … Continue reading →

Grandparents Not Giving As Much This Christmas

Grandparent Grinches? Not in my family. A new survey says, due to the current state of the economy, grandparents won’t be buying as many gifts for their grandkids this year. This is heartbreaking news for families the world over who rely on grandparents to play Santa. Last year I asked: Who needs Santa when you’ve got generous grandparents? I wasn’t kidding. My daughter and my nephew are blessed beyond words that my parents spoil them rotten. I can’t speak for my brother’s family, but I know for a fact that my daughter’s Christmas would not be nearly as merry and … Continue reading →

How Old is Too Old to Parent an Infant?

Studies show that an increasing amount of adults are waiting to get married and have children. Subsequently, the number of first-time parents over the age of 33 has quadrupled since the 1970s. Some maintain that waiting to have children is a good thing. Many older first-time parents say that they are financially sound, patient, worldly and can enhance the life of a child better than they could have in their 20s. Meanwhile, younger parents argue that they have energy, enthusiasm and time on their side. Still, that doesn’t answer the question: How old is too old to raise a baby? … Continue reading →

How Far Would You Go to Become a Grandparent?

Marissa Evans always dreamed of being a grandmother to her son’s children. Unfortunately, her 20-year-old son’s life came to an abrupt end a few weeks ago when several men assaulted him. According to police reports, Nikolas Colton Evans and his friend were approached by a group of men as they exited a bar in Austin, Texas around 2 a.m. on March 27th. Police say one of the men punched Evans, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground. Evans was transported to a local hospital where he eventually died a few days later. But this sad story … Continue reading →

Santa vs. Generous Grandparents

Who needs Santa when you’ve got grandparents? There have been many times when I have seriously considered hiding some of the dozens of Christmas presents my parents have sent my daughter and attaching gift tags that read, “From: Santa Claus” and sticking them under the tree on December 25th. My parent’s generosity is overwhelming… not that I’m complaining (my kid sure isn’t). It’s just that it’s getting harder and harder for me… I mean Santa… to compete with grandma and grandpa when it comes to holiday gift giving. For the record I should note that my 4-year-old is very blessed … Continue reading →

Would You Allow Your Child to Wear a Purity Ring?

The Jonas Brothers wear them. So do some of the teens from “High School Musical.” Heck, there was even a point when Britney Spears sported one (what a joke). I’m referring to those mega-popular purity rings. The small silver rings are worn by young people to signify their commitment to abstinence. In other words the ring is supposed to help kids say, “I don’t,” before they say “I do.” The rings are part of an Evangelical Christian movement to encourage teens to make a “pledge of chastity.” According to my research, a father, who was outraged to discover that his … Continue reading →

What Kind of Parents Take Their Kids Shopping on Black Friday?

Perhaps, I should clarify that title. It should read: “What Kind of Parents Take Their Kids Shopping at Midnight on Black Friday?” Midnight, 4 a.m., 5 a.m.—-where were your kids at those hours? I know where mine weren’t—in line outside of outlet malls that opened at 12 a.m., department stores that opened at 4 a.m. and Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, and the slew of other retailers, which opened their doors to crazed bargain hunters at 5 a.m. Friday morning. Still, if you watched the news tonight I’m sure you saw what I did. Hundreds of adults pushing stroller after … Continue reading →

Grandma in the White House

Now that they’ve exhausted the puppy issue, the media has suddenly become obsessed with the prospect of Michelle Obama’s mother becoming the First Grandmother and moving into the White House with the rest of the family come January. Granny’s in the hoooooouse! According to news reports, after some prodding, Michelle convinced her 71-year-old mother Marian Robinson to leave her home on the South Side of Chicago and move to Washington, D.C. with the rest of the Obama’s. Initial reports had the Obama’s looking for new digs for Robinson near the White House, but now some media outlets are reporting that … Continue reading →

The Love Between Grandmother and Grandson

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama just returned to the campaign trail after a brief 22-hour stop in Hawaii to visit his gravely ill 85-year-old grandmother. According to news reports, Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham is recovering from a broken hip, in addition to battling a recurrence of cancer. She also suffers from osteoporosis and has had a corneal transplant. In explaining Obama’s sudden trip to his childhood home, the senator’s spokesperson noted that Dunham’s health had deteriorated “to the point where her situation is very serious.” Yet, some in the media had the audacity to question whether Obama’s flight to Hawaii was … Continue reading →

Halloween and Young Children: Trick or Treat?

The school supplies are long gone at area stores; swiftly replaced by Halloween everything. My preschooler, who is absolutely petrified of anything that howls, hoots or hangs crooked, bursts into tears each and every time we get near the Halloween area at Wal-Mart and Target. (I don’t even attempt to visit places like Halloween USA or Halloween Express when my daughter is with me.) This understandable, yet at times inconvenient fact (inconvenient because these days obtaining a tube of toothpaste now requires taking a six aisle detour around the Halloween madness) is not unique in families with young children. Likewise, … Continue reading →