Reader has her Own Grandma who Butts In

Dear Grandma,

How should I handle an interfering grandma who is always telling me that the way I am raising my children is wrong just because it is different than she raised hers? It’s a touchy subject around our home when dear hubby’s Mom comes to visit or makes her thrice weekly phone call to monitor how we are raising her grandbabies. She believes in spanking, and I don’t. She wants me to let them eat whatever they want while I insist on balanced healthy meals and a minimum of snacks. Help please.

Mom who doesn’t spank.

Dear Mom who Doesn’t Spank,

Every mom has a right to raise her children in her own way and to enjoy her family without being judged as long as everyone is safe, healthy and happy.

Grandma has lived a long time, and has seen that generations of women have problems in this area. There are as many reasons for the family problem as there are types of people.

While this Grandma believes that anyone who thinks a child in danger has a responsibility to speak up, Grandma doesn’t think this is a problem in your case.

Some moms never let their children grow up and live their own lives. They have to be told when they’re interfering.

Some women just need to grow a tougher skin.

Others need to be honest and communicate their feelings better.

Does grandma really interfere, or are you susceptible to take every comment as a judgment?

Have you tried letting grandma know how you feel when she makes her comments?

Is it possible that Grandma is lonely and calls three times a week so that she can stay in touch with her family?

Is it possible that you second guess a lot of your decisions and see a judgment in any comment or question about your parenting skills? The decision about spanking and meals is healthy and fair. This Grandma can’t see why you just can’t firmly tell your mother-in-law that this is what you and your husband have decided on and let any other comments echo harmlessly.

Being a mother is hard. So is being a mother-in-law, daughter or daughter-in-law. Grandma thinks that all of these women share a common bond. They all want the kids to be happy. They also don't want their own parenting skills to be judged. For the sake of the children, open the lines of communication. Honest communication. The kids can pick up on the tension.

If you really think that you’re not overdramatizing the situation and that grandma is interfering, it’s up to you to talk to your mother-in-law. Do it calmly, and do it soon.

Bathtub Toys Recalled by Munchkin Due to Risk of Injury

I received the following email and wanted to share it as quickly as possible. Check the tubs for this toy.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2010

Release #11-012

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 242-3134

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Bathtub Toys Recalled by Munchkin Due to Risk of Injury

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Bathtub Subs

Units: About 34,000 units

Importer: Munchkin Inc, of North Hills, Calif.

Hazard: The intake valve on the bottom of the submarine toy can suck up loose skin, posing laceration hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the company are aware of 19 incidents of lacerations to boys' genital area. One of the incidents required medical attention.

Description: This recall involves battery-operated bathtub submarine toys. The toy is yellow, has a smiling face, turquoise windows, an orange propeller and an orange periscope that turns the toy on and off. The intake valve has a water pump that sucks in water to propel the submarine. The toy is intended for use by children during bath time.

Sold at: Mass merchandise retail stores nationwide and children's stores nationwide from November 2009 through September 2010 for about $7.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Munchkin for instructions on how to return the product for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Munchkin at (877) 242-3134 anytime or visit the company's website at http://www.munchkin.com/

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11012.html

News Story: 'I'm too rich to go to jail' Ticks Grandma Off

The flip side of entitlements the elite are always complaining about is obvious in this story I read at MSNBC.com.


We often wonder who raised the spoiled kids who grow into spoiled adults. Parents often tend to think their precious children will outgrow their selfishness and be well adjusted adults who fit well into a working society. Well, it's not as easy as that. Between celebs getting in trouble with drugs, violence and scandals bordering on harassment to poor little rich kids who think they can get away with anything, parenting skills seem to have a gap as wide as the gap in incomes.


This young lady must be making her parents proud today. I've taken a quote from the story:

"When deputies placed Hincapie under arrest, she allegedly said, "You are in trouble because I am a New Yorker and my brother is CSI" and "My dad paid cash for my Toyota Corolla and I am too rich to go to jail." "

Read the entire story


Grandma thinks you'd better pay attention to how you're raising your child, unless you want to read about his or her accomplishments in the news.