Have you been worrying about your teenage grandchild’s mental health? Me too. And, we’re not alone. The teen mental health crisis continues to be a significant public health issue, and in recent years the disruptions of the pandemic have only worsened its effects. Even without a pandemic, work-related, familial, or personal issues can arise and…
DetailsTo me, grandparents represent a connection that lives inside you like an exhibit. Not solely to fill a role as a quasi-parent but to show others the beauty of a shared intergenerational relationship. I was about nine when I first began to draw connections from the large colorful paintings that hung on the walls of…
Details“What should I do with all of the term papers your grandchildren sent you when they were in college and high school?” my adult son, Michael, had asked, as he cleaned out my condo for sale in Deerfield, IL. “Send them to me,” I had answered. In my effort to enter my grandchildren’s worlds…
DetailsAt 93, I’m filled with more memories than I can remember. Still, things pop into my mind that can draw me back into a moment in time: The high school dance. Sneaking into the officers’ mess hall during my service. Dancing with my stepsister until we collapsed in giggles. A related topic will surface, and…
DetailsA Guide to Connecting with Your Teenage Grandchildren Enough of the grunted, one-word answers! From sharing music and stories about milestone events to reconciling with the generation in between (aka your grandchild’s parents), Where Two World’s Meet is a caring, tactical guide for grandparents on the secret to entering their tween and older grandchild’s world, and…
DetailsPoetry and Other Reflections on Summer Camp This article was written for Grand Magazine. Read the original (and subscribe to the magazine) here: GRAND Magazine – Summer 2021 [36] (nxtbook.com) Nothing like aging to spawn reveries on the meaning of life. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful to be here, spending time…
DetailsAs one is wont to do around birthday time (I turned 93 at the end of March), I reflected on my life. Where am I now? What have I achieved? What do I have to show for being a third of the way into my 10th decade of life? Here’s what my mental inventory…
DetailsMy granddaughter Jessica was the one who inspired me to write my stories. “What was life like when you were a boy, Grandpa Jerry?” she started asking me last year. “What were some favorite games you played with your friends? What did you spend your allowance on? What were your parents and grandparents like?” As…
DetailsTuesday, April 27 7:00 pm CDT Free! Registration required to receive Zoom link. Presented by JCC Chicago, JCFS Chicago, and Grandparents Unleashed. The experience of Jewish summer camp has always played an important role in creating a deeper connection to Jewish identity and building relationships for lifelong impact. It’s even more important now as…
DetailsAfter much deliberation and at my daughter’s generous invitation, I’ve made my temporary “pandemic move” to LA permanent. My son Michael took on the monumental task of going to my home in Deerfield, IL to pack up a life’s worth of “stuff.” These are the selected treasures that have stayed with me: items inherited from…
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