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The Parent Trap: The Art of the Back-Handed Compliment (Zingers)
by Betsy McMillin
Parent says: "Great job cleaning your room kiddo! Oh man, if only you did everything this quickly and thoroughly!'"
Ouch.
May as well give the kid a big hug then punch the kid in the gut.
Such back-handed compliments…
Solo Practitioner: In Love With My Crock Pot. Really.
A2P Notes: According to a study published in February 2011 by the Pew Research Center, Americans are pretty evenly divided in their attitudes toward the "sweeping changes in the structure of the American family that have unfolded over the…
Savaged: Thousands Rally at the State Capitol Building, Detroit Newspapers Decide it’s Not “News”
by Chris Savage
On Saturday, May 21st, 2011, at least 6,000 people gathered on the lawn of the Michigan Capitol building to protest Governor Rick Snyder's budget proposal which slashes nearly $1 billion from education funding in our state.…
Pushing Our Kids Away….Just A Bit
by Betsy McMillin
I am celebrating today. As well as mourning.
My tiniest tot, my sweet two and a half year old, fell asleep and slept in her own "big girl bed," all night. Okay, so her bed is right beside ours, but baby steps, right?
I…
Foodist: Styrofoam Takeout Containers Are Killing Us All (Maybe)
TKWU, my favorite Chinese restaurant, doesn't use Styrofoam takeout containers, but our favorite burger place does, and so do loads of other local restaurants, as well as local food carts. Takeout orders at TKWU are packaged in durable…
AnnArbor.com Is A Failure Because Tony Dearing Was “Clueless” Argues Former AA News Reporter
A2P Notes: Just after AnnArbor.com was launched, essayist Jack Lessenberry wrote in the Metro Times:
Now I like to think of myself as a fairly sophisticated newspaper critic. I've worked for a lot of them, have had bylines in The Washington…
The Parent Trap: Confessions of a Cheapskate/Tightwad
by Betsy McMillin
I have gotten a lot of great, positive feedback from The Entitled Nation (March 20, 2011), a lot of people seeing themselves and their kids, even when they didn't want to.
I wish I could say that my kids are not as…
Urban Exile: Panhandling Can’t Be Legislated Out of Existence
by Erika McNamara
Once again panhandling has grabbed the attention of the Ann Arbor public and media. Recently, the Ann Arbor City Council decided to amend the city Panhandling Ordinance. This decision was based on the recommendation of…
10 Percent Perspiration + 90 Percent Inspiration= Motherhood
To all mothers: Happiest Of Mother's Days!
You have earned this day, so spend it how you want to: with your own sweet kids, a day off from your sweet kids and out with your best mom friends, with your own Mother.
Happy Mother's Day to…
What To Do About Picky Eaters (Without Dinner Theater or Begging)
"Up to the table everybody! Dinner time!"
Do these words make your kids slink off in the other direction, muttering, "I'm not hungry" or "yuck!?" Do you make additional dinners routinely to please non-eaters? Do you have a child on the…
