Q. I’m a new mom who just went back to work…and I can’t get back in the groove of things! I feel so bad when I have to leave in the morning…a part of me feels like I’m abandoning my baby. It’s a tough economy now so I HAVE to work…I just don’t know how to deal with it. -Regretfully Working Mom

A. Of course you feel guilty. You have to leave your precious baby who you would love more than anything to be with most of the day.

Q: My 3 year old grandson is not talking yet. I have been concerned about this and have mentioned to my daughter that maybe she have him seen by his doctor. I did speak with a speech teacher and she recommended that my daughter bring him in and have him tested. As the grandmother, I have concerns with all my grandchildren, but my oldest daughter says that I should butt out. How can she say that when my grandchildren are a part of me, too! Any comments or suggestions for me?

A:

Yes, you should get involved. You need to bring it up in a very calm manner and express your concern about it.

Question:
My 2 1/2 year old has become very fussy in restaurants. I love to go out to eat with him, but don’t want to embarass myself in front of the entire restaurant. Some kids seem so well behaved! Is there anything I should be doing to get him to behave?- Melissa

Grandma’s Answer:
Ahhh, I so remember those days and am reliving them with my grandchildren now. First of all, you need to set the guidelines and at 2 1/2 there needs to be some. You need to explain that there are other people in the restaurant who are there to enjoy themselves with peace and quiet during their meal. Tell them they need to express themselves in a “normal” voice tone, not screaming. Calmly explain that if they do scream, you will leave. And be prepared to really leave if they misbehave!

One thing that parents do is come up with idle threats. That is probably one of the biggest discipline mistakes that parents make and truly the most annoying one, especially for bystanders. Let me explain one thing: You might think your child is adorable, and you might think that they are the most special person in this world, but when they are acting up in the restaurant and the table next to you has to put up with it, they are not.

I have been out in a restaurant with a misbehaving child/grandchild and I have left with food on the table or even before the order came and paid and never put one morsel in my mouth. So get the rules down. Tell them what is acceptable and what is not and FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THOSE GUIDELINES! Do not give them 50 chances.

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