Newsvine
  • Welcome
  • Help
  • Report Bug
  • Conversation Tracker
  • Your Column
  • Replies
  • Friends
Type Comments Since You Last CheckedArticle Source Last Checked Stop Tracking All Clear Tracking All
Advertise | AdChoices
Log In | Register
Close the Login Panel
Existing users log in below. New users please register for a free account.

New Users:

Existing Users:

E-Mail:
Password:
Forgot Password?
Please enter the e-mail address or domain name you registered with:
E-Mail/Domain:
Back to Login
Log Out
  • Top News
  • Local News
  • World
  • U.S.
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Science
  • Business
  • Health
  • Odd News
  • More
    • Arts
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Home & Garden
    • Not News
    • Religion
    • Travel
Visit PowerIsKnowledge's column >>

POWERISKNOWLEDGE

Home Page
Gashki'ewizi
Articles Posted: 150  Links Seeded: 1793
Member Since: 9/2008  Last Seen: 5/17/2012

What is Newsvine?

Updated continuously by citizens like you, Newsvine is an instant reflection of what the world is talking about at any given moment.

Get a Free Account
Help
Fun Stuff
  • Your Clippings
  • Leaderboard
  • E-Mail Alerts
  • Top of the Vine
  • Newsvine Live
  • Newsvine Archives
  • The Greenhouse
  • Recommended Articles
  • Wall of Vineness
Put a Seed Newsvine link on your own site

Grandma Robinson Makes White House Transition

Seeded on Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:23 PM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: NPR
odd-news, white-house, child-care, transition, robinson, grandma, garndmother
Seeded by PowerIsKnowledge
Advertise | AdChoices

The Obamas will soon undergo a historic transition in January as the nation's First Family of color enters the White House. Also making the transition will be Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother. President-elect Obama has attributed the success of his campaign, in part, to Robinson's support, especially as a child care provider.

A roundtable of grandmothers — Dianne Tolson, Sajida Nomani and Betty Noel-Cushenberry — share advice for Robinson and discuss the special role of grandparents.

1. Just concentrate on your Grand babies. Nothing else matters.

2. Do not interfere with the "Core Family." Support the mother and the father, equally.

3. "Grand Mothering" is not "Babysitting." The difference is "Jurisdiction." (This means that there is no "appeal" from Nana's rulings.)

4. The weekends are YOURS! For You! I became a docent at the Smithsonian; learned to swim; I attended Church each Sunday with the granddaughters in tow. On Sunday afternoons, I would read the NY Times, have dinner on my own time, not necessarily with the family.

5a. Know when it is time "to leave." Recognize when "your work is done. Keep/Retain your own home so you can "GO HOME."

  • Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

Published to:

  • PowerIsKnowledge's Column, All of Newsvine
  • Groups: Democrats, ObamaExpress, ObamaVine, Psych, Soc, Philos, Respectful Debate
  • Regions: Washington DC
  • Public Discussion (6)
PowerIsKnowledge

These are great rules for Grandma Robinson to live by. In addition to keep from intruding she'll keep herself in a healthy place.

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:26 PM EST
Ryann_O

I think it's wonderful that these kids are going to have a familiar family member join them in such an unfamiliar place - it will keep them balanced while they adjust. Kudos to the Obamas (once again) for demonstrating a family first attitude.

  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:44 PM EST
Rella

I am glad she will be going with the Obamas.  I think it will make the transition easier for the family, both adults and children.  Also, Barack and Michelle will have to travel a lot, especially Barack.  Having Grandma Robinson there will provide continuity and stability for the kids.  

  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:39 AM EST
forrestg

The close extended family ties are not as prevalent as they once were.  I think it enhances the family structure to have regular interaction with family members other than your immediate family members.  People say the just don't have the time, they're to busy, it's to far, or it's to late etc...

I love those commercials where they tell you how much every thing cost and end with something like "time spent with grandchildren, priceless".  I think it will continue to keep the family bonds strong, especially with President Obama's busy schedule.  Having their grandmother there will make it easier for the children, and set a good example for all of us.

Our society is one of the few in which older family members are whisked away to retirement homes and such, rather than cared for and honored by their family members.  The old in many countris are considered wise and they are always consulted about important family matters, relying on their experience as a guide.

  • 2 votes
Reply#4 - Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:49 AM EST
PowerIsKnowledge

forrestg, how right you are. I work with seniors who families have thrown them away and it makes me sad to hear them say I hope with the holidays coming my children will pencil me in their calendar. I've told some of these children how much their parent miss them and how they would like to see them more. They tell me that mom or dad knows how busy our lives are and understand. Then, in the next breath, they tell me about their plans to travel to somewhere exotic, or how they're going out to dinner and the theatre with friends, or they are going to spend the weekend at a spa in Mexico or the Caribbeans. I'm not a violent person but it just makes me want to slap them.

  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:32 AM EST
dixiedi

Great decision since he could have had special nannies brought in. I am glad they have chosen to let grandma handle the kids.

I'm a grandma so maybe I am a bit prejudice on that but hey, that's what grandmas are for!

  • 1 vote
Reply#6 - Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:16 AM EST
Leave a Comment:
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
You're in XHTML Mode. If you prefer, you can use Easy Mode instead.
(XHTML tags allowed - a,b,blockquote,br,code,dd,dl,dt,del,em,h2,h3,h4,i,ins,li,ol,p,pre,q,strong,ul)
Newsvine Privacy Statement
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
FUN STUFF:
  • Leaderboard |
  • E-Mail Alerts |
  • Top of the Vine |
  • Newsvine Live |
  • Newsvine Archives |
  • The Greenhouse |
COMPANY STUFF:
  • Code of Honor |
  • Company Info |
  • Contact Us |
  • Jobs |
  • User Agreement |
  • Privacy Policy |
  • About our ads
LEGAL STUFF:
  • © 2005-2012 Newsvine, Inc. |
  • Newsvine® is a registered trademark of Newsvine, Inc. |
  • Newsvine is a property of msnbc.com