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…
A 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…
I can’t believe it. My second to youngest grandchild is off onto her next big milestone: going to college. Just a couple of weeks ago, Merite’s mom dropped her off. I asked her to tell me a story about orientation and how she was feeling as she embarked on this next milestone phase of her…
Gone are the days of baking cookies or making crafts together. Although going out together for ice cream never goes out of style. My grandchildren are now 16 to 36. It’s not something to lament. As they get older their minds grow and their world of ideas expands exponentially. I love talking to them about…
“Be sure to tell us about sex and drugs,” advised Jerry Witkovsky, originator of the Grandparent Connection program, now in its fifth year at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, IL. But first, new principal Kathy Anderson kicked off the Freshman Connection program for forty or so grandparents who filled the faculty cafeteria for this special…
That adorable child who couldn’t get enough of “nana” and “poppop” now sits sullenly across the table. They are, at least, honoring the “no cell phones at the dinner table” rule, but you sit in silence. You, wishing for a connection. They seemingly, wishing it were over. Questions like “How’s school?” or “What are your…
“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…
Until recently, Author and Grandparenting expert Jerry Witkovsky wouldn’t even entertain the question about what to say if a grandchild asked you to keep a secret. “I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the trust with my adult child.” But after questions at recent speaking events, from grandparents earnestly wanting to always be there for their grandkids,…
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…
