First Granny.
Michelle Obama, formerly a high-powered executive at the University of Chicago, could work in the Windy City or campaign across the country, secure in the notion that her girls were thriving in their grandmother’s care. “The sole reason Michelle was willing to campaign at all was because she knows that Mom is there to help take care of the girls,” Craig Robinson, Marian’s son, said at the Democratic National Convention.
Marian Robinson recently told the Associated Press that she wants to keep consistency in her granddaughters’ lives. “I will do whatever Michelle needs simply because I know how important it is for her to see that the children . . . still have discipline and still have things that children do at their disposal,” Robinson said.
Which brings us back to Belkin’s June 2005 column, “What a Working Woman Needs: A Wife.” “Let me take a moment to define my terms,” Belkin wrote. “I use this word to mean the person who keeps the family functioning, who holds the mental lists of who needs new shoes and where the extra laundry detergent is stored, and the timing of the middle school dance (meaning if it hasn’t come up at the dinner table yet, odds are someone is suffering quietly because she wasn’t invited). Wife means the person who raises the scaffolding and secures the ladder rungs, so that everyone in the family can climb.”
So if working moms can’t have a “wife” of their own, as a friend of Michelle Obama’s said, “There’s nothing like Grandma.”
01.28.09
Yeah!!!, for the Obama family. Not only does the president and first lady benefit from grandma's presence,but the children are more emotionally secure with her near presence,I'm sure. Nannys and sitters can be hired. However, family, blood, trust,privacy, can lead to decreased stress in the present situation.(I was a little girl once ,also) It is very unrealistic to think Mrs. Obama could provide 24-7 care for her daughters at this time. Also, as a granny myself_the girls distance(geographical) at this time in their lives could be very stressful for grandma and them. If the grandma was frail and needed her family, I'm sure they would also be available 100% for her. If not for my family(grandma,aunts,uncles) my children wold have been in some dire situations.
01.27.09
Ms. obama should take care of her own kids. That's what they need most..their own mother. sorry..sometiems you have to just make a sacrifice when you are responsible for young lives. Grandmothers play an important role but should not be expected to raise theri grandchildren.
12.10.08
My mother and father moved in with us when my son was born, and take care of him during the day while my husband and I are at work. They are a godsend. They take great care of him, and have so much fun. And I don't have to take him to daycare every day. I was a little leary at first, but it has worked out wonderfully. Hurray for grandparents!
12.08.08
When we mean a "wife", it means someone who can do things all at the same time, thus multi-tasking. It's only us wives and mothers who can scan around a room and know what's wrong and what needs to be done. I am superbly lucky that my mom and dad help to raise our baby. Both my husband and I work full-time and we entrust the baby during the day. We never considered delegating and trusting the child care to anyone else other than grandma and grandpa. I'm grateful that they are still strong and willing to take care of our baby. I am confident that my child gets the best care since my own parents and us parents share the same views. This is such a great article.
12.04.08
What's sad here is that most of kids these days don't know their grandparents or don't even have one, because couples are taking their time to marry and have a family (in there 40s) and by then grandparents are deceased
12.02.08
I think I've always known, but this article is a great reminder to me that I'm really blessed to have a mother and an aunt who are there to help me with my son at just about every turn.
12.02.08
The "Marian Robinsons" that we all desire are a rare, dying breed. My grandmother helped to raise me and my siblings, and most of my friends growing up had their grandparents in their lives as well. Most of my working friends who are parents do have their children's grandparents around, but they are too busy enjoying their retirement with cruises, bowling, walking, whatever it is they do besides taking care of their grandkids. I was told to not expect any help from a certain grandparent when I was expecting the grandchild! These "New Millennium" Grandparents have redefined their roles, and not for our benefit. They feel as if they have already "paid their dues" and now it is time to sit back and observe. Of course, they are not all like that, and I am grateful to those who do help us out with the kids.