DeeDee Moore, a grandma behind the website More Than Grand, recently shared on the organization's TikTok account that “too much stuff” given from grandparents to their grandkids is one of the main sources of holiday frustration for parents. “75% of the parents that we surveyed wished grandparents would respect their wishes about gifts,” she explained, noting that while there are myriad reasons why this would be the case, the most common one (and incidentally the one most "waved off” by the grandparents) is the lack of physical space to accommodate. However, when Moore breaks down the math, it’s a bit hard to deny. “Say your grandson has four other grandparents and four aunts and uncles. Each of these people get him one gift for a second birthday. That’s already nine gifts plus something for mom and dad. We’re up to 10,” she said. “If all of those grandparents buy him three things, and two of the aunts get him a little extra something, that’s 22 presents for a 2 year old who would be just as happy with a box.” Yikes, gotta admit that’s a lot. And that’s not counting the additional problems too much gift-giving can incite listed on the More Than Grand website, which included: Undermining the parent’s values that they are trying to instill to their childrenDamaging a child’s ability to use their imaginationNormalizing overconsumptionTeaching children to associate seeing grandma or grandpa with getting a gift, rather than focusing on the actual relationship These are all good points, and yet, what to do with all those good intentions and a desire to spoil some precious little nugget? Luckily, Moore has the perfect fix. “While your grandchildren are faced with getting too many gifts, many children are in the opposite situation. Take some of the things you bought to Toys for Tots or another organization that provides gifts for less fortunate families.” This allows folks to step into the “true spirit of giving,” Moore concluded. Viewers by and large seemed to agree, though many also noted how powerful experiential or future-building gifts could be, even if they're not as cute as toys. “My in-laws opened up a college fund for both my kids. Instead of stuff they put more money in the account. I’m so grateful!” one person wrote. Another added, “I am giving experiences and putting money in an account for future needs (college, 1st house, starting business, etc).” In the vein, here are two other tips grandparents can use for intentional gift-giving… First and foremost: open up a discussion with the parents. See if they need help with a big ticket item, find out which hobby or sport the child is interested in, ask what’s a definite “no.” this can save a lot of headaches for everyone. Second: prioritize memories over stuff. A trip to the zoo, an education membership, a ticket for two to the movies…these are often the gifts that truly keep on giving. And grandparents, don’t forget: just because you’re honoring boundaries, it doesn't mean you have to pass up that sweet little something you see in the aisles. It can easily go to a little one who could really use it. For even more tip on all things grandparenting, give More Than Grand a follow here.

Making small talk with someone you don’t know very well can cause a lot of anxiety. What if you get stuck in a boring conversation about the weather? What if the conversation loses momentum and you both stand there silently? What if the person thinks that you’re boring? Psychologist Jennice Vilhauer, Ph. D., has some great advice to make you feel better equipped to talk with a stranger at a party or on a first date. The big takeaway is that people will find you interesting, not necessarily because of what you say but how you make them feel. Vilhauer says that curiosity is one of the most vital conversation skills most people don’t consider. Vilahuer is the developer of Future Directed Therapy (FDT) and author of the best-selling “Think Forward to Thrive: How to Use the Mind's Power of Anticipation to Transcend Your Past and Transform Your Life.” What’s the best way to make small talk? “One of the most underrated skills that can transform your dating life is curiosity,” Vilhauer writes in Psychology Today. “Not only does curiosity provide you with important information and make you a better conversationalist, but it also signals interest, openness and emotional intelligence—qualities that create deeper relationships.” The funny thing is that, according to Vilhauer, most people aren’t taking advantage of this conversation superpower. “It is surprising how many people report going on dates where the other person only talks about themself,” Vilhauer continues. “The talker might be having a great time because they enjoy being listened to. The other person, however, feels like the talker is disinterested, and he/she is probably quickly losing interest, too. Dating someone who doesn’t ask questions can feel like talking to a wall. Everyone, no matter who they are, has a story and wants to be understood.” The key to being curious in a conversation is to ask plenty of open-ended questions that encourage the person to give a detailed response. If you’re talking to someone and they say, “I was born in Omaha, Nebraska.” Don’t counter with, “Great, I was born in Milwaukee.” The best thing to say is, “That’s cool. What did you like about Omaha?” or “Do you miss living in the Midwest?” Here are some examples of open-ended questions that make you appear courteous. “How did that make you feel?”“What are they like?” (When they bring up a person from their life.)“What’s your favorite memory of (thing from the past they discussed)?”“What did you do next?” If you show that you are genuinely curious, the person you’re talking to will take a shine to you because people enjoy sharing about themselves. They’ll also appreciate that you took the time to get to know them. Even if they spoke most of the conversation, they’d go home thinking, “Wow. They were really interesting.” How much should I talk in a conversation? This advice comes with a caveat. You shouldn’t be listening 100% of the time. Studies show that the best ratio for talking to listening is 43 to 57, so you let the other person do most of the speaking, but be sure to share about yourself as well. Being curious in conversations isn't just about making the other person feel good. It also gives the conversation a greater chance to move from surface-level details, such as basic biographical information or what they do for a living, into the world of specific experiences, ideas and perspectives. Curiosity can take your small talk and elevate to medium talk and even deep conversation.

by Warner Todd Huston, Breitbart: Disgraced music and fashion mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing even more accusations of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape as five more lawsuits have been filed against him alleging his participation in sex crimes. The suits were filed in New York City by attorney Tony Buzbee on Tuesday with each alleging that […]

from Sputnik News: WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Some of the aging ATACMS in the US inventory that were pledged to be delivered to Ukraine first expired as early as in 2015, needing over $1 billion in modification costs to extend their service life, according to a Sputnik correspondent’s analysis of the Pentagon’s annual budget reports on […]

from CapitalCosm: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

Democrats are making abortion into a “sacrament” by completely eliminating doctors from the process, glorifying the act, and deregulating the procedure, according to the president and CEO of the world’s largest pro-life organization. Shawn Carney is the president and founder of the annual 40 Days for Life campaign, which has just concluded in a record 703 cities around the world. The organization helps end what it calls the “injustice of abortion” by empowering people to take action against abortion on a local level through prayer and community outreach. Its annual 40-day campaign helps accomplish this goal by hosting public prayer vigils outside abortion clinics. ? The largest 40 Days for Life campaign EVER begins TOMORROW in 703 cities worldwide! Join the mission to end abortion where YOU live. Watch our new video, share it with your friends, and spread the word. ? pic.twitter.com/UHplP33t2V— 40 Days for Life (@40daysforlife) September 24, 2024 Carney said Democrats do not want any regulations on abortion. “That’s been the message—that the Democrats are making abortion into a sacrament, and they don’t want any regulations on the sacrament,” Carney told The Daily Signal. “That’s why you see the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] doing things they never would have done before the overturning of Roe v. Wade.” The FDA has removed many abortion pill regulations. It has allowed retail pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, to offer the pills and has allowed the pills to be sent to patients through the mail, with both changes significantly expanding access to abortion. According to The Washington Examiner, Kansas, Idaho, and Missouri are leading a renewed legal challenge against the FDA’s efforts to deregulate mifepristone, one half of the two-drug cocktail that is used to abort children under 10 weeks gestation. Carney also told The Daily Signal that doctors are being removed from the abortion process as many states with more lax abortion laws do not require a doctor to perform the abortion. According to Carney, this is another way of deregulating the process and making abortion more like a sacrament. “It’s really a brave new world when you get away from the original talking point which is, ‘I want this to be between a woman and her doctor,’” said Carney. “The abortionist isn’t her doctor. It’s usually not even an OB-GYN, and now it’s getting more rare than ever to actually see a doctor for an abortion.” Carney also highlighted the fact that a Planned Parenthood in Iowa invented something called a “webcam abortion,” in which an administrator gets on a webcam with a woman taking the abortion pill. Carney also said another way that Democrats are turning abortion into a sacrament by glorifying the act—he explained how left-leaning celebrities such as Alyssa Milano or Chelsea Clinton exalt abortion by invoking religious justifications. “Actress Alyssa Milano articulated her pro-abortion stance, suggested that the decision to have an abortion should involve a woman, her physician, and, you guessed it—God,” Carney wrote in Townhall. “Chelsea Clinton went so far as to say it is downright ‘unchristian’ to overturn Roe v. Wade.” This year’s 40 Days for Life Campaign came to an official close Wednesday evening. In Washington, D.C., organizers hosted a closing event outside a local Planned Parenthood. Organizers of the Washington, D.C., 40 Days for Life campaign outside a Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood abortion facility on Nov. 20, 2024. (Ann Moreno, The Daily Signal) “Even though the official 40 Days for Life campaign is over, the message was clear,” Michael New, leading coordinator for 40 Days for Life D.C., told The Daily Signal. “Building a culture of life is not a 40 days of the year activity; it is a year-round activity. Attendees left motivated to step up their efforts in preventing abortion and offering meaningful, life-affirming alternatives to women, families, and children.” Carney said that the purpose of the campaign is to empower people on a local level to do something about abortion, to change hearts and minds, and to pray, fast, and call upon God. He also said that, according to ex-abortion workers who have joined his campaign over the years, the “no show” rate for abortion appointments goes up significantly when participants are outside clinics praying. “Many of them don’t show up for their appointments, according to the Planned Parenthood workers who have left,” Carney told The Daily Signal. “They say that, according to Planned Parenthood’s internal number, the ‘no show’ rate for abortions goes up by 75% when we’re out there praying.” This Fall we had 3 abortion workers approach @40daysforlife after having a change of heart and quitting. That’s 266 abortion workers total. God is merciful and good.— Shawn Carney (@CarneyShawn) November 12, 2024 Carney also told The Daily Signal that his campaign includes many women who have had abortions and women who kept their babies because they turned around at the last second due to the prayerful advocates outside the clinics. The Daily Signal reached out to Planned Parenthood, the Biden administration, Chelsea Clinton, and Alyssa Milano for comment, but none have replied as of publication time. The post Pro-Life Leader: 3 Ways Democrats Are Turning Abortion Into a ‘Sacrament’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.