Does it always seem like the current generation has it harder than the one before? “Life seemed more simple when I was growing up,” says one grandmother. “Probably the worst thing was chewing gum or a spitball.” Yes, I remember that rhyme about the difference between a child chewing gum and a cow chewing cud…”I see it now. It’s…
DetailsAccording to AARP more than 2.5M grandparents are taking on the responsibility for parenting their children’s children. Often born out of necessity….an adult child is unable to care for their children because of substance abuse, or the death of a parent leaves a child in need of care. It may be a child facing foster…
DetailsBy Guest Blogger, Deanna Shoss, What do father- and mother-in-laws have to say about the daughter-in-law relationship? “In most cases the mother-in-law has to bite her tongue.” “I don’t want to offend her.” “Usually it’s the female who runs the roost.” In an effort to understand the Grandparenting Phenomenon (Over 100M people in the…
Details“Computers, history, how to hang free” are among things grandparents say they’ve learned from their grandchildren. And grandchildren, now young adults, cited “perseverance, to be giving, to go after my dreams” as valuable lessons learned from Grandma and Grandpa. A teaching and learning culture is one in which knowledge and experience are shared in all directions, from…
DetailsPhoto credit Teennick A friend’s daughter, Jennifer, found there were some topics that were perfect for the larger extended family, but also felt a need to better connect with her husband and two sons. Between work, business travel, school, and other activities, they often did not even have time to eat dinner together, let along…
DetailsBy Jerry Witkovsky, author of The Grandest Love Striving to become more connected as a family doesn’t mean that everyone is obliged to see things the same way. For example, not all of my family members see a deliberate commitment to Teaching-and-Learning as being central to our family’s synergy. Says my daughter Ellen, herself a…
DetailsFor the last 25 years, The Grandest Love has been the focus of my life and work: researching and lecturing about grandparenting issues, facilitating support groups, and developing community-based programs that allow intergenerational bonds to flourish. Along the way I’ve listened intently to hundreds of people’s stories – grandparents’ stories brimming with that special love,…
DetailsRegine Schlesinger‘s interview on WBBM Radio aired today. A grandma herself, Schlesinger talked to author Jerry Witkovsky about how grandparents can enter their grandhild’s world. Listen to the story here. Hear author Jerry Witkovsky talk about Grandparenting, how to find out more about what happens at your grandchild’s school. Learn more about the Grandparents Connection…
DetailsIf you are a new or first-time grandparent, you’re in good company. According to the 2011 MetLife Report on American Grandparents, one in four American adults is a grandparent; by the year 2020, that number will rise to one in three – or 65 million Americans. No doubt you’re thrilled to be called Grandma or…
DetailsThrough the many years that I’ve been listening to grandparents share their hopes and dreams, their regrets and fears, the word “legacy” is one that comes up over and over. It’s a word that carries much weight and many meanings. Most of us, of course, are concerned about our legacy in its most tangible manifestation:…
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