Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Dear Marianne

Somewhere, Ann Landers is rolling over in her grave.

Click here for my first (and probably last) attempt at an advice column in today's Chicago Parent.

I'm the mom who prepares kids for picture day by wiping dried Pop Tarts off their chins and agreeing to stained ties from First Communion.  The sweater, by the way, is six years old and two sizes too small. 

When taking advice, always consider the source. 

24 comments:

  1. WOOO! If you want any help let me know. I'm actually related to Dear Abby and Ann Landers. I'm not lying. I really am!

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    1. Are you really? That's awesome! I used to read them both daily. Sadly, I do need help. Most people take my advice and then do the exact opposite because it works better for them.

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  2. You HAVE to do more advice columns! That was awesome! I'll gladly be a phantom if it means I never have to sell wrapping paper! lol That kind of advice is priceless!

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    1. Thanks, Barb! I knew you could appreciate it! (:

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    1. Thanks, Judy! I wanted to include some picture in today's post, and Joey was right there...ready to cooperate as always.

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  4. I think you did a smashing job and I mean smashing in any sense you want to use it LOL

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  5. Oh I am now blogging under a new name Rockin My Journey @ myfamilyjaysactivity.blogspot.com aka Janice

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  6. Your advice is incredibly timely, Marianne - I just escaped a pumpkin picking trip by the skin of my teeth. I'm choosing to limit my volunteer activities at the school this year to fixing the mangled books in the library. Nice and quiet. Theoretically.

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    1. You escaped disaster! That pumpkin field trip? It's destroyed stronger women than myself. I like the library option...will check into that at my kids' schools this year. You know how I love a quiet library!

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  7. Ah, but whoever gave him the morsel (as in chocolate chip morsel...mmm..cookies...oops) of advice to make that face...perfect! I hope he used the same one for the class photo. ;)

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    1. mmm....cookies....

      This is Joey's go-to "pose" whenever we get out the camera. We usually correct it for some fake-looking smiles that make the kid look pained. I gotta be honest. This look cracks me up. Every time.

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  8. I loved your advice; is that true that only 1/3 of parents show up for conferences? That is kind of sad, no actually that is more than kind of sad, that is really sad. Honestly, I did like your answers to the questions; I was the mother who did the chaperoning for field trips and always was counting heads; silly me, I should have only done the ones where they were more contained! (but to my credt, I never lost one of them.....)

    school pictures are fun to look at years from now and remember how little they use to be.....

    enjoy Thursday!

    betty

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    1. Thanks, Betty! There are a lot of no-show parents in Chicago (which explains the city's drop out and literacy rates). One of the issues with the teacher's strike was that reviews would be based on students' scores. Take some of the worst schools in Chicago...you could put Jesus Christ or Aristotle in there and it wouldn't make a difference when education, attendance, and the basics are being met at home. It is very sad.

      On a separate note, bravo for being the brave volunteer! After nearly losing a couple of my charges a few years ago, I opted for the "closed in" choices. Way easier.

      Thanks for reading!

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  9. First of all, the puppy dog sweater with the tie? That is fashion I can wrap my head around. That kind of stuff should be going down NYC runways. It's warm. It's cute. It's formal. I love it!

    Let's hope you get another shot at giving advice. I thought it was terrific. Again, I wish I lived in Chicago.

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    1. Thanks, Lillian! Like I said...there's a house available a couple doors down!

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  10. I love the satire!! Keep it up. :)

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