When Grandma Becomes Ma

I have joined the ranks of a growing number of baby boomers who have taken on the task of raising their grandchildren.

No, I'm not doing it because I want to. I'm doing it because it's necessary. I'm doing it because I want my daughter and her son to have a chance to beat the odds and the stereotypes placed on them by the "do-gooders" of our society.

My daughter started college this week in another part of the state. She had the option of taking her soon-to-be-two-year-old with her or leaving him here with me. I chose option B. My daughter is still trying to get her own life together and having her son with her would only get in her way from accomplishing her goals.

The way I see it, my role of being a grandparent is more important than ever. My grandson is among a number of children being raised in single-parent households and as a young black male, the odds are already stacked against him before he can talk.

Being a good grandparent today requires all the wisdom, understanding, patience and love I've acquired throughout my lifetime.

It means grandma wears another hat: "MA"

Comments

Janie said…

AWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! Ma and I know with the decision you and nate chose to make also came with alot sacrifices I just want to let you know how thankful and appreciative I am. I LOVE YALL. MUAH!!!!!!!!!!

8/19/2008 6:02 PM

You Can't Look Pretty and Exercise

While I was out this morning, I ran into a few women, around my age, who were rather well dressed. One had on a beautiful necklace with matching earrings; another had The Tammy Faye Baker look (face caked with make-up) and another had on a nice pantsuit. I spoke to each one as I passed them individually but then I thought to myself, "Where the hell do they think they are?!" WE'RE EXERCISING, for God's sake!

Yes, while I was out doing my morning walk/run around the Duke Wall (1.6 miles in distance), I noticed these other "mature" women out doing, what I thought, was the same thing. But based on the way they were dressed, perhaps they were just taking a morning stroll. Now that would make total sense if we were in a park setting----but the Duke Wall is a gravel, rugged, sandy track and when the maintenance crew is in the area working you're sure to get some of that dirt blown on your face and body.

I do know there are older women who won't dare ste…

The Power of Prayer from a Child's Perspective

The other day my 11-year-old grandson and I were talking about a variety of things and the subject of prayer came up. I asked him if he thought he would make the Shrine Bowl (a football game where the best players in his age group from NC are selected to compete against the best players from SC).

His response: "Not really because I knew I was competing against kids all over the state. I thought I was good but maybe not better than some other players."

I asked him if he prayed about it. He said he did. I then asked him if he prayed everyday until he found out if he made the team. He said, "No, I just prayed once to ask God to let me make the shrine bowl team."

I asked him why he only prayed once. His response: "Because that's all it takes. God heard me the first time."

Now I have to tell you I was totally floored by his response! They say out of the mouths of babes......

And then what did he do until he got the official word? He continued t…

A New Survey Says Millennials Blame Baby Boomers for Their Troubles and They Should

OK--I've got a new survey to report to you---this one courtesy of Axios and Survey Monkey.

Millennials say baby boomers are to blame for ruining their lives and guess what? I happen to agree with them despite the fact that I am a member of the baby boomer generation.

Fifty-one percent of millennials say boomers have made things worst for their generation. Not only are they in debt from student loans but they also inherited two wars and they face an uncertain job future with speculation that artificial intelligence may replace some jobs they would vie for in their future.

Baby boomers, on the other hand, don't appear to be trying to leave the job market anytime soon unless they're FORCED out so with retirement age being as late as age 70, boomers can still be collecting a nice paycheck right up until the end.

No doubt about it, the boomer generation has been a greedy generation. They have controlled Congress and and been the CEO's of the major corporations in Ameri…

Baby Boomer Talk & other stuff

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