Banned forever! “One slip of the tongue cost us our granddaughter” By Susan Hoffman, for GRAND Magazine NABBW’s Grandparenting Expert “Dear Susan, “On the surface our life looked perfect, but behind closed doors our family was falling apart. A feeling of emptiness and heartache consumes us because of our lost access to our little granddaughter. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of her. “My DIL [daughter-in-law] Beth and I used to be so close: She and I would make tufa pots in her yard, go to nurseries looking for plants to put in them, show and sell our final products locally.... (Read More ...)
Temper, Temper: A grandchild needs to know you’ll fight for them By Susan Hoffman, for GRAND Magazine NABBW’s Grandparenting Expert “Dear Susan, “It all started when I flipped the boyfriend off. “My daughter and her son came to live with me shortly after his birth; she and the bio dad never married, and he wasn’t interested in being a parent. We were one big happy family for seven years, until I did a very bad thing and gave my daughter’s new boyfriend ‘the finger.’ “Tiffany began dating Donato, a hairdresser with an ego the size of Texas and a strong desire to control.... (Read More ...)
Blowing the Whistle: What’s the price of trying to protect a grandchild? By Susan Hoffman, for GRAND Magazine, NABBW’s Grandparenting Expert “Dear Susan, “As a grandparent, if you had found out that your grandchild had been living with a parent and stepparent who were engaging in a sleazy lifestyle and allowing friends who were also involved to be around the child, would you have attempted to get guardianship? My daughter and her husband are a part of the adult entertainment industry, including stripping and nude photography in magazines and on the Internet and who knows what else. “Sometimes... (Read More ...)
By: Dr. Lillian Carson Reprinted with permission by GRAND Magazine Q. Lately my 4-year old grandson refuses to do what I ask. I find myself losing my temper and giving him a good spanking. I spanked my kids, and they’ve grown up okay. His parents don’t like spanking. Who’s right? Spanking Nana A. Your spanking probably subdues your grandson but misses an opportunity to help him learn self control, responsibility and the consequences of his actions. A child’s behavior is his language, the way he expresses himself. Ask yourself what he’s telling you. Are you expecting too much for his... (Read More ...)
By: Andy Nibley Reprinted with permission by GRAND Magazine In an attempt to better understand my grandkids, I have bitten the bullet and gone where I never thought I would ever go—into the belly of the Internet beast, at least that part of the Internet beast where the young ones go. I’m talking about the latest Internet rage; social media networks like MySpace and Facebook, YouTube, etc., online worlds where my grandchildren and millions like them spend countless hours meeting and interacting with their peers. And I’ve got to tell you something. These sites are actually fun—a... (Read More ...)
