Pickles by Brian Crane for January 21, 2021

Over scheduling kids is not a good idea nor is no scheduling dotting grandparents.

the only time my father and I have time to be with our grandsons/nephews is when the boys’ parents bring them over to Washington all the way from New Jersey… so we settle for my stepmother’s grandchildren for they live in the county as us.

Huh. New arc, I see.

I saw a photo online that depicted I am assuming a young granddaughter sitting at a restaurant table with her grandfather. The old man just sat there looking at his granddaughter intently looking at her smart phone. I thought it was a sad commentary on the state of affairs these days. The girl did not know how long she would have their grandfather and it appeared as if she took him for granted. It is so easy to do with others in our lives. We think we will have them forever. My dad went to work one morning when I was 5 1/2 years old and never came home. He died on the job that day. Please take time to be with your loved ones. None of us know how long we will have each other…

Nose hair, ear hair, everwhere hair but covering my scalp.

I hate it when they ‘fence’ with the mustache hairs. The itch is tremendous.

The song “Cat’s in the Cradle” comes to mind for some reason.

So no scheduled time for fun?

How come I seem to see the kid over at the grandparents a lot?

Nice though that they live so close by

Sylvia …. Nelson needs kid time in his life ! What you just read off sounds like a never ending Taxi ride ;-)

I wonder which one Nelson will remember 20 years from now — karate class and soccer practice, or sitting in the park feeding the ducks with his grandpa?

Was the old guy going to feed the kid to the ducks? Harsh.

And so the child has no chance to explore, is conditioned to do and go where’s he’s told….

Ridiculous! Why do parents feel they always have to have their kids join everything! Kids need to be kids, and play outside, use their imagination and not be in such a structured environment everyday of their lives! It’s fine to do a few things but when do they ever have time to be “just me” kids?

Nelson must be a robot.

My bet is lots of grandparents out there today want to send this to their kids so they can see their grandkids more. I know I do.

How much is too much beyond school and associated activities?

If Nelson is so busy, how is it that he is so often at the grandparents’ house?

Best time for any kid is Grandpa-Grandma time; country needs more of it.

My oldest grandson and his mother lived with me for quite a while, when he was growing up, so we spent a lot of time together and formed a tight bond. He’s grown with a child of his own now, but we’re still close, and even though he’s a continent away, we stay in constant communication thanks to the internet and Skype.

I’ve 2 wonderful and busy granddaughters who relish their extracurricular activities (church, basketball, goofing off), but there is always time for Grampy, who has all the time in the world for them.

And yet Nelson seems to be over at Grandma and Grandpa’s all the time.

“In that case, Sylvia… Would you like to come with me and feed the ducks?”

My wife is always reminding me about my nose hairs!

It’s good to have one of two appointment a week for educational or athletic training but “overbooking” a child is a recipe for misery.

Don’t go away mad, Gramps, just go away.

and ear hair too

You need to ask the kid whether he really want’s to do those things or be with his grandfather. Way too many parents bury their kids in BS activities.

Like sand through the hourglass … one way… www.youtube.com/watch?t=21&v=kGE2wAbGx-M&feature=youtu.be

how does nelson spend so much time at the grand parrents house when hes so busy?

I always did wonder about parents who would schedule their children for activities to include such things as martial arts, and playing an instrument. Depending on what martial art it is, some break boards, etc., and that can severely impact (no pun, intended!) their ability to even practice an instrument.

I’m so glad I grew up in a time and place where it was safe to be a free range kid.