As my own grandchildren got older, it became clear that maintaining strong connection was increasingly challenging as their schedules grew more demanding and their academics, extracurriculars, and friendships predominated. Something else was clear too: that the high school years are a critical period during which close bonds with caring family members are more important than…
DetailsStock Photo. Photo credit: Marc Love on Flickr ————————————————————————————————- My “Bubby” Marvis gave me a life-changing gift: unconditional love, acceptance, and respect at a time when I needed it the most. Ten years ago, in my early twenties, I came out to her as a lesbian. Having grown up in a tight-knit, Orthodox-Jewish family and…
DetailsThink about it: Family Meetings might be the perfect opportunity for all three generations to spend some all-too-rare time together, unplugged. That’s right: no cell phones either. Because everything (and everybody) you need, you already have, right there with you. So take a long moment to look around at each other and to quietly give…
DetailsVisit to the Rochester Jewish Book Festival by Jerry Witkovsky, author of The Grandest Love: Inspiring the Grandparent-Grandchild Connection,” on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014: “Jerry’s book is a ‘love letter’ to grandparents and grandchildren, and those who heard him speak in Rochester said his thoughtful and inspiring discussion was one of the highlights of this…
DetailsGrandparenting can provide a renewed sense of wonder and purpose for us as older adults nad a rekindling of memories. Memories of our own children’s early years–inhaling the scent of a newborn, pushing a little one “higher, higher!” on a swing, taking them to their first movie. Even memories of our own childhoods, and our…
DetailsWhether you live five minutes or 500 miles away, your grandchildren are so lucky to have you in their lives and so lucky that you want to be such a strong presence in their lives. And, they want you to be present in their lives. Here are five tips on how to make this happen.*…
DetailsJayendra Bhatt was a rickety old man at first glance. He would careen down our suburban sidewalk using his cane as if it were a comedic prop to make us grandchildren laugh. But “Dada” wasn’t rickety, neither in body nor in spirit. In his native India, he had been a scholar, a philosopher, a teacher–and…
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 but often…
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