How to teach, learn and care with extended family At 89 years old, I found myself thinking with pride the other day about how amazing the experience and intellectual power of my extended family is. What a wealth of knowledge we are collectively. I have learned about worlds far from mine from all of them.…
DetailsBy Jerry Witkovsky I watched the TV news–and witnessed the KKK, the Neo Nazi’s and the White Supremacists shouting their hate. It burns a hole in my heart and soul. What can I do about it at age 89? As I struggled with this, the following thought went through my mind: “When a Grandparent dies…
Details“Separate Realities” of Parents and Children San Francisco-based psychologist Joshua Coleman, Ph.D., is the author of When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don’t Get Along (Harper Collins, 2008). In a blog post for UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Dr. Coleman recommends: Honor the ‘separate realities’ nature of family life.…
DetailsThere’s a radio ad for First American Bank that features a smart man explaining things to his grandma. While it’s radio, she begs you to imagine a simple old woman from Lithuania, whose primary concern is cooking. Well, as Oldsmobile likes to say…today’s grandma is “not your grandma’s grandma.” Fact in point, here are some…
DetailsOUR GRANDPARENTS, OUR MEMORIES – CHOOSE TO CONNECT By Matej Silecky I have been working on a project that, it is safe to say, would not exist without the lifelong influence of all of my grandparents. The project, “Baba Babee Skazala” translates from Ukrainian to English as “Grandmother told Grandmother.” Basically, it consists of: oral…
DetailsDan Chamberlin, Co-Chair of the Special Education Department and School Champion for the Grandparent program at Deerfield High School, joined Jerry Witkovsky, along with family and friends, when Mayor Rosenthal proclaimed “Jerry Witkovsky Day in the Village of Deerfield” last month. (See the Facebook Live Video of the event here.) Dan’s words: So, Jerry,…
DetailsMarch 20, 2017 was named Jerry Witkovsky Day in the Village of Deerfield, to honor the long time Grandparenting Activist’s 89th birthday. Mayor Rosenthal invited the public to join her at Deerfield Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, on March 20 at 7:30 p.m for the ceremony. Read more about the honor and Jerry in the Chicago…
DetailsGrandparents have a transformative effect on their family when they teach their skills, manifest their creativity and give voice to their passions. I set up my first Grandparent Connection School Program at Deerfield High School in 2009. The Deerfield High School grandparent program is still going strong. Over 300 grandparents attended the star event…
Details“I learned from my grandpa what a traditional date was supposed to look like and how we were doing it all wrong,” said school Principal Kathryn Anderson in her welcome to 300 grandparents and special guests who attended the annual Grandparents Day program at Deerfield High School on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. While it was…
DetailsGrandparents, when they unleash their creativity and use their skills and passions, can have a transformative effect on their families. I set up my first Grandparent Connection School Program at Deerfield High School in 2009. The Deerfield High School grandparent program is still going strong, with 300 grandparents expected to attend the event for senior…
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