The Battle Hymn of the Paper Tiger Grandfather

Having read the Amy Chua’s book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom" I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that I am probably the opposite of her in raising children. Her disciplined style was something that I never developed with my children. My wife was the disciplinarian in the family and old Dad was the pushover. If you needed money you better not ask Mom but you could always sweet talk Dad. Thank goodness all the kids turned out well behaved because of my wife’s discipline.

Well it has only gotten worse with grandchildren. Is there anything sweeter than the smile or giggle of a grandchild when they walk in the door and see you? They’re not dumb--- they know that Grandpa has all kinds of good things to eat that they don’t get at home. Ice cream and fruit are never off limits at Grandpa’s house (I can’t let my daughters read this blog). Get a book and Grandpa will read to you all night long with his funny voices. If I had know grandchildren were this much fun I would have had them first.

Having raised daughters with dolls and playing house and school it is quite a change to have grandsons. Do boys have some special energy source in their bodies that allows them to go at full speed all day long? Is there a reason why they can’t pass a stick without picking it up and hitting every tree with the stick as they pass? Do all boys have a fascination with trucks? It is a wonder that all boys don’t grow up to drive trucks.

Yesterday we all took a trip to the National Zoo with some of their parents and then it was back to Grandpa and Grandma’s house for dinner, a movie and a cousin’s sleepover night. Just about a perfect day for the "Paper Tiger Grandfather". God only knows what it will be like when the great grandchildren come.

P.S.

Congratulations to Tom Coale at HoCo Rising for reaching his $3,000 goal to support Grassroots.

The Baltimore Sun in an editorial this morning shows how we are fortunate to live in Howard County.

I blogged on mental health issues a while ago and NAMI the National Alliance on Mental Illness was mentioned. They are a great organization that works with families dealing with mental health issues. You can donate to their effort online or participate in one of their walks.