Grandparents and parents may disagree, especially about grandchildren. Keep minor conflicts minor. Photo © Digital Vision / Getty
Teenagers can be a little different when it comes to hairstyles, and a lot of other things. But they still need loving grandparenting. Photo © Hannah Sanderson
If you're ready for spring even though it's only January, grab the grandkids and head for the nearest botanical gardens. If you live somewhere warm, you may be able to enjoy the outdoors like these two tykes. If you're in the frozen North, repair to a greenhouse for a floral fix. Then go home and start planning those garden projects you're going to do with the grands. If your thumb is not exactly green, try an easy mini-project. Photo © H.B. Koehler
See our Wordless Wednesday Photo Gallery.Lots of people have post-holiday letdowns. Maybe you didn't get to see your grandchildren as much as you wanted, or maybe, like me, you just feel that it all went by too fast. Some grandparents hit the post-Christmas sales to raise their spirits, but I know of two ways to improve your mood without a trip to the mall.
First, listen to music. Music is a known mood elevator that may even improve cardiac health. Elizabeth Scott has some suggestions for stress-relief music, but most authorities say just to listen to music you like. Second, look at photographs. I can't find hard evidence that looking at pictures is a blues-chaser, but I know I can look at some of my photographs every time I walk by and smile every time. Sitting down with a box of photographs is like a mini-vacation to me.
Organizing photographs, on the other hand, is more of a chore, but Liz Masoner has some hints for organizing those digital photos. Getting that done is one of my New Year's resolutions. Maybe if I turn on some music. . . .
Owners and operators of secondhand stores and thrift shops across the U.S. are in a bit of a panic these days, due to a new law that goes into effect Feb. 10. The law was passed in August in a reaction to a spate of toy recalls, most due to lead content. The legislation will be administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the agency does not plan to target second-hand stores but will be focusing its efforts on the most hazardous items.
Grandparents and other consumers who rely heavily on used goods are justifiably concerned, but this is hardly a new problem. As I pointed out in a recent article, buyers of used baby gear should not take the safety of items for granted. They should check the age of the articles and also peruse recall lists before purchasing. The toughest problem is lead content. It's impractical for second-hand stores to check each item for lead content, and home test kits are unreliable. Ultimately, the burden is going to fall on consumers. We will need to become smarter buyers and habitual readers of recall lists. I would say that anyone who is not willing to do so should simply buy new items, but, as we have been realizing for the last couple of years, buying new items is no guarantee of safety. Maybe the new law will change that. I'm guardedly optimistic.
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Even the most lovable children sometimes show their temperamental sides. Grandparents and parents may disagree about how to handle those occasional pouts or temper tantrums. A little diplomacy will go a long way toward resolving differences over discipline. Photo © Leslie Sanderson
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