Blog Posts by Grandparents.com

Last summer, the slow economy spurred restaurants to try to pull in cash-strapped families with offers of free meals for kids. Maybe it's a good sign for the economy that for the summer of 2010, fewer national or regional chains appear to be offering similar deals. But we still found 10 popular restaurants offering families a meal out without emptying their wallet.

Note: These specials vary from restaurant to restaurant and are subject to change at any time. The sample deals are real listings, but may not apply to the specific restaurants in your area. (Sometimes, the deal in your area might even be better.)

Applebee's
Sample deal: On Mondays, get one free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Captain D's
Sample deal: On Thursdays, get two free kid's meals with any adult entree purchase, dine in only.

Chevys
Sample deal: On Tuesdays, get one free kid's meal with one adult entrée, dine-in only.

Denny's
Sample deal: Up to two kids 10 and younger eat free with each adult

Read More »from 10 Places Kids Eat Free

When most of us think of waterfalls, we envision far-off places like Yosemite National Park and Niagara Falls. We see weeks of planning, days of travel, and hours of arduous hiking stretched out before us. But that isn't always the case.

Amazing waterfalls that gush with thundering volume or cascade from skyscraper heights can be found just a stone's throw from many U.S. cities, making an easy, memorable family day trip. Did your kids' favorite falls make our list?




Multnomah Falls
Less than an hour's drive from Portland, Ore.

This amazing waterfall plunges more than 600 feet down Larch Mountain, making it one of the tallest year-round falls on the continent. Benson Bridge, which runs across the face of the falls, offers a rare, up-close view of the water. Hiking enthusiasts can also climb to the top.

Best time to visit: Year-round.










Turner Falls

Less than 1.5 hours' drive from Oklahoma City, Okla.

The 77-foot waterfall is just part of the fun at this beloved recreational area.

Read More »from 10 Amazing Waterfalls Within Reach

It's the kind of issue that's often raised in newspaper advice columns and in online discussion groups like our own Mothers-in-Law Anonymous: Do mothers-in-law (or mothers, for that matter) have a place in the delivery room when a grandchild is being born?

New moms might bemoan the invasion of privacy, the uninvited presence of a mother-in-law ruining a special and intimate family moment. They may talk of feeling bullied into letting a mother-in-law in, and then feeling obligated to include their own mother in a suddenly quite crowded hospital room. And they may complain of husbands unable to talk their own mothers out of plans to invade what they see as an almost sacred space (at least until the next couple needs it ...).

As for the mothers-in-law, some of them counter that this is, after all, the birth of their grandchild, and so they are entitled to be there when it happens. Those who speak more frankly might point out that the daughter-in-law's own mom, sisters, or best

Read More »from Should Your Mother-in-law Be Allowed in Your Delivery Room?

Sometimes women crave girl-bonding time and a chance to exercise their wanderlust. Gal getaways are all the rage, so it's time you planned that once-in-a-lifetime trip with your mom, daughters, or your best girlfriends. Here are eight destinations, from the United States to Europe, where girls can get together, let their hair down, and savor exciting days of shopping, spa treatments, and adventure.





For Shopaholics

Where To Go: Paris, of course! The City of Light and its très chic boutiques shine brightly for fashionistas who call Vogue their bible.

Where To Stay: Affordable Hotel du Petit Moulin was designed by legendary fashion designer Christian Lacroix. The 17-room boutique property is full of over-the-top whimsy, like shag carpeting and pink pop-art walls.

What To Do: Euros saved on cheap sleeps earn a visit to the Chic Outlet Shopping, at La Vallée Village, just 35 minutes and an easy train ride from the city center (Bonus: If you bring the kids, it's near Euro Disney too!). Savvy

Read More »from 8 Gals-Only Getaways

The author with granddaughters Anna, left, and Cydnieby Molly Arost Staub (pictured, with granddaughters Anna, left, and Cydnie)

I never thought teen violence would touch my family.

Yet when I heard that a student was beaten up at a Deerfield Beach, Fla., middle school on March 17, I immediately feared it might have taken place at my granddaughter's school. Anna, 14, is an eighth-grader at the International Baccalaureate Middle School, which is housed within Deerfield Beach Middle School. That's the school where 15-year-old Michael Brewer had been set on fire by other students the previous October. This was disturbing enough, since Anna knew all the students involved from her lunch period.

I couldn't reach my daughter-in-law, Marci, who was teaching at another school; my son was traveling on business. I frantically tried reaching other family members, including Anna's older sister. We live about 40 minutes from each other and we're very close.

On Grandparents.com right now: 12 Things To Do When Disaster Strikes

When

Read More »from Josie Lou Ratley: How We Helped Our Teen Cope After Her Friend's Attack

by Barbara Graham

Before joining the grandparent club, I listened to my friends who were already members wax poetic about the wonders of their new role. You will fall madly in love! they said. It's better than being a parent! they exclaimed. You get to have all the fun without any of the responsibility! No more staying up nights worrying! And the icing on the cake: The grandchildren will adore you since you won't be the one telling them no!

These and other pronouncements have all turned out to be true - up to a point. But within about two minutes of becoming a nana, I realized that, for me at least, grandparenthood is a bit more complicated than the warm, fuzzy Hallmark version I was expecting. Here are seven myths about being a grandparent - and the corresponding realities that have become apparent to me since the birth of my first grandchild.

1. Grandparenthood is better than parenthood - all the joys without the responsibility.

Well, yes, I admit that much of the

Read More »from Better Than Parenting?: 7 Grandparent Myths Put to the Test

Mom and Dad,

Thanks so much for coming over to babysit tonight. The kids are SOOOO excited to see Grandma and Pop-Pop. And we know you guys know what you're doing, but we just wanted to leave you a few notes:

Emergency Info

First, emergency numbers are on the side of the refrigerator. Both of our cell-phone numbers are there, as well as the numbers for the restaurant where we'll be, our pediatrician's office, Poison Control, and our next-door neighbors Bob and Carol. They're not parents themselves, but they have terrific instincts and the children just love them, so if one of the kids isn't feeling well and you can't reach us or the doctor, feel free to give them a call for some advice. And if there's a real emergency, the number for 911 here in our town is: 9-1-1.

Things to Remember

A few things going on with the kids you might want to know about: If you can avoid it, don't look Jake in the eye. Whenever one of us looks him in the eye lately, he just screams, "Stop Read More »from Have You Ever Left Babysitting Instructions Like These?

by Amy Wilson

All four of my children's grandparents live in the same town, two hours away. At the end of one recent weekend visit, my 5- and 7-year-old sons were "scrapping" on the floor of Ya Ya's living room while I rushed about packing the car. (How is it that a 48-hour trip with three children requires 18 suitcases?) My sons' wrestling matches start out genially enough, but never end well, and on each of my trips past them up and down the stairs, I told them to cut it out. They ignored me, of course, and as I finally shut the tailgate of the minivan out in the driveway, I heard my 5-year-old screeching as if his eyes had been put out. I rushed back into the living room to find both boys crying, both faces scratched, both screaming that the other one had started it.

And then, I confess: I screamed louder than the two of them put together. I screeched that they never listened to me, that I was sick and tired of it, and that if they ever fought again, ever, all birthday

Read More »from A Mom's Confession: Why I Scream at the Kids