Some Grandparents Need to get a Grip

Absolutely ridiculous!  That's how I describe a recent article I read about some grandparents wanting to pay cash money for the naming rights to their grandchildren. 

Last week, the New York Times reported about a new trend of grandparents offering cash and other incentives in exchange for naming their children's new babies, including one grandparent-to-be offering $10,000 for the naming rights to their grandson. This wasn't an isolated incident, with others offering things like a stake in a family business.

I thought the idea was so absurd but maybe I was in the "minority" as I often tend to be.  I decided to pose the question to my Facebook followers to gauge their radar on the subject and, lo and behold, we were all on one accord!

The best comments came from fellow grandparents like Auerlia who said, "That's just craziness if you ask me. I have 4 grands and never would never do such a thing even if I had all the money in the world. Grandparents obviously had their turn naming their own children...let the children have the same honor. #foolishnessI 

From another friend, Heidi, who said, "No, No, No to cash or other rewards for naming a grandchild or anyone else's child. Only parents to name their child. Now it is ok to give ideas, share stories behind names if asked by the parents."

Another comment from Jessica, meanwhile,  indicates she did suggest a name, "When my daughter was pregnant, I suggested the name Carter, just because I really liked the sound of it. After months of tossing names around in her head, my daughter did choose Carter.   I didn't force it on her. She just ended up really liking my suggestion. It was kind of cool that she picked my favorite, I won't lie.

On the flip side of this you have young mothers who choose create their own names they think are unique and cute not realizing the child has to live with that name for the rest of their lives. And pity on them if they can't even spell it  The sad thing in these cases is the fact that most of these mothers are "young" (and poor) and haven't taken time to consider the long term effects of their child's name.  (Probably because their name is jacked up too!)  Furthermore,  the grandparents of these grandchildren probably can't even afford to offer any money for naming rights.  Poor and Green don't mix well in our society.

So for those well-to-do-grandparents  who believe money can buy anything, including naming rights to their grandchildren, GET A GRIP, try developing a REAL conscience and put your money to some quality use.

It is, however, okay for you to want to help your struggling children-------but NOT with strings attached.

The Deadly Threat of Alzheimer's for Baby Boomers

A new report out last week says 1 in 3 baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's between now and mid-century and the cost to Medicare will skyrocket.

According to research presented at the July 2014 International Alzheimer's Association International Conference, there will be a shift toward more severe forms of the disease, leading to greater Medicare costs. In 2020, the projected Medicare costs of caring for baby boomers with Alzheimer's in the community will amount to $11.86 billion, in 2014 dollars, which is the equivalent of 2.1% of total Medicare spending. By 2040, when the baby boom generation is aged 76-94, the projected Medicare costs will jump to $328.15 billion, in 2014 dollars and represent an increase to 24.2% of total Medicare spending.  

Key findings include:

• The prevalence of Alzheimer's among American baby boomers will rise from 1.2% in 2020, when most boomers will be in their 60s and early 70s, to an astonishing 50.1% in 2050, when all the boomers will be age 85+. This means that by 2040, more than twice as many baby boomers will have Alzheimer's disease (10.3 million) compared with the equivalent age group in 2015 (4.7 million).
• When the first baby boomers turn 70 in 2016, Alzheimer's prevalence in their age group will jump from less than 1% among individuals ages 65-69 to nearly 2.5% among individuals ages 70-74. At the same time, the number of Americans needing Alzheimer's care and support will increase dramatically, with huge cost implications for decades to come.

Dr. Keith Fargo of the Alzheimer's Association Director of Scientific Programs & Outreach says, "The risk of Alzheimer's increases with age, and as baby boomers get older, the number of people developing the disease will rise to levels far beyond anything we've ever seen before."

SCARY THOUGHT.

What may be even scarier for some of you is how your own children and grandchildren may respond to your need for medical care. 

About AAIC

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the largest gathering of leading researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community.

AAIC 2015 home page: www.alz.org/aaic/ 
AAIC 2015 newsroom: www.alz.org/aaic/press.asp

About the Alzheimer's Association®

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

Baby Boomers and Millennials and Diversity

I guess it's time for older white Americans to start panicking.  The latest numbers are out and it shows that the Millennials are now the most DIVERSE generation in America.  We all heard there was going to be a changing of the guard but we didn't expect it until somewhere around 2050 (as reported in an article by CNN).

Well, the U.S. Census Bureau now CONFIRMS it.  Millennials are now the majority in population and diversity.  Now that's a two for one.  The generation born between 1982 and 2000 now number 83.1 million, compared to 75.4 million baby boomers (and remember we're dying off daily).

So here's how it breaks down:

• All race and ethnic groups except single-race, non-Hispanic whites had more births than deaths between 2013 and 2014.

• Five states or equivalents are now considered majority-minority: Hawaii (77.0 percent), the District of Columbia (64.2 percent), California (61.5 percent), New Mexico (61.1 percent) and Texas (56.5 percent).

• Florida had the highest percentage of its population age 65 and older among states in 2014 (19.1 percent), followed by Maine (18.3 percent). Alaska had the lowest percentage (9.4 percent), followed by Utah (10.0 percent).

• California had the largest non-Hispanic white alone population of any state in 2014 (14.9 million).  California also had the largest Hispanic population of any state in 2014 (15.0 million).

• New York had the largest black population of any state or equivalent in 2014 (3.8 million); The District of Columbia has the highest percentage of blacks (50.6 percent), followed by Mississippi (38.2 percent).

• The District of Columbia has the highest percentage of females of any state or equivalent (52.6 percent), followed by Delaware (51.6 percent).

• Alaska has the highest male percentage (52.6 percent), followed by North Dakota (51.3 percent).

The Money Behind the Marriage

My husband and I were married on June 3, 2006. I chose that particular month because it was the same month my parents got married (1952)and it's also my birthday month.

Did you know June is the most popular month for weddings---followed by August, May and September?

Upon doing some research to see how expensive weddings have become, I discovered the following facts:

* The average wedding costs more than $28,200.

* The reception accounts for 43 percent of wedding costs, with an average price tag of $12,343.

* Outside of the reception, the largest chunks of money are going to engagement rings ($5,000), photography and video ($3,378), music ($1,297), and wedding rings ($1,727).

* The average wedding cake costs $461.

* The current average cost of an engagement ring is $5,002, down $229 from 2012's average cost of $5,229.

* The average wedding dress costs $1,380, up $25 from 2012's average cost of $1,355.

* The average bridesmaids' dress costs $134, consistent with the cost in 2012.

*$72 billion per year is spent on weddings

*$8 billion per year is spent on honeymoons

*The average honeymoon budget is $3,657

Our honeymoon ended up being the most expensive cost for us when we traveled to St. Lucia. How expensive was YOUR wedding?

To read more go here: Wedding costs

A Play on Words

As a journalist and author, I LOVE expressing myself with words. I came across this "Punography" and thought it would be a cool thing to share with my followers. If you want to see it up close just click on the graphic. So what do you think? Which pun is your favorite?

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

My husband and I became part of a growing trend in America back in 2006. We were grandparents taking on the role of primary caregivers for our grandson.

My daughter got pregnant as a teenager but still had ambitions of going to college. After careful thought and prayer, we agreed to raise him in her absence. We were among nearly 6 million grandparents who have grandchildren living with them.

Here are more numbers from the Census Bureau about grandparent caregivers:

4-out-of-10 grandparents are responsible for the youngsters basic care.

5.8 million, the number of grandparents who live with one or more of their grandchildren under 18 years old.

4 percent, the percentage of people age 30 and older who live with grandchildren. The rate is 8 percent among blacks and Hispanics.

2.5 million, the number of grandparents responsible for most of the basic needs, such as clothing, food and shelter, of one or more grandchildren with which they live.

21 percent, the percentage of preschoolers who are cared for primarily by their grandparents while their mother is employed or in school.

So how can grandparents impact their grandchildren's early education?

Help give them a healthy start: Make sure your grandchildren start off every day with a healthy breakfast and a good night’s rest. Immunizations help children stay healthy and prevent many diseases that might keep them out of school.

Empower your grandchildren early: Talk to them regularly, beginning when they are infants. Read books together every day, and spend time singing, dancing, and playing together.

Help your grandchildren feel safe by providing a home with consistent rules and love. When these basic needs are met, children will be more ready to concentrate on reading, writing, and arithmetic when they get to school.

Limit TV Time: Pay attention to what your grandchildren watch on TV. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under 2. For preschoolers, keep television watching to a minimum,and choose a few good-quality shows for children. If your grandchildren are watching TV, watch with them and talk about what they are watching

Talk positively about school: Let your grandchildren know that being old enough to go to school is exciting.
Take them to visit their new school before the first day. Talking positively can help children be enthusiastic about
school and learning.

Also, pick a daycare that emphasizes a school-type setting and ALWAYS find time to volunteer.