Grandparenting – Part One
Posted by suzanne at November 21st, 2012
“A home filled with grandchildren is a home filled with love.” ~ Author unknown.
“Surely, two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a grandchild or a grandparent.” ~ Donald A. Norberg
During the second half of life, becoming a grandparent is a great joy. This is one of life’s great treasures – seeing your children have children of their own.
Grandparenting the next generation of the family is such a wonderful stage. Children are incredible. They add delight and magic to life. They are fun to have around. They help us to be in the moment and keep us young at heart. Time spent with young children is precious indeed.
It takes time to cultivate a great relationship with grandchildren. This is the opportunity to share your interests, hobbies and knowledge with someone younger who is curious and wants to learn and spend time with you. It is a fantastic feeling to find common interests and enjoy special time together. In fact, grandparents receive all the rewards of a relationship with their grandchildren without all the responsibilities. As Gene Perret says: “Grandchildren are so much fun, we should have had them first”.
The good news is that with increases in longevity, grandchildren can expect to have many grandparents in their life and grandparents can expect many years to get to know their grandchildren. This bodes well for forging and maintaining intergenerational bonds. The richness of this intergenerational relationship adds much to quality of life and well-being during the senior years. The grandparent and adult grandchild relationship is particularly interesting and future research needs to examine this. In addition, we are seeing more great-grandparents who are engaged with their great-grandchildren. They have the opportunity to get to know and mentor these young people in their lives.
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren of all ages are special miracles in our lives. Grandparents are elders who can offer much to grandchildren if we take the time to enjoy each other’s company.
What better way to give and connect than to bestow your time, energy and love, and share your interests with your grandchildren!
“Grandparents are the footsteps to the future generations.” ~ Author unknown
Category: Aging, Health and Wellness, Intergenerational, Relationships
Post Tagged with 6 Responses so far.
Tags
Most Popular Posts
- Healthcare Workers
- Mature Workers and Technology
- Virtual Redirection Workshops
- Retired Doctors and Respiratory Therapists
- Tribute to a Third Act
Recent Blog Posts
- Workshop Series
- Healthcare Workers
- Mature Workers and Technology
- Dedicated Volunteer, Sadly Let Go
- Virtual Redirection Workshops
- Aging Workforce and Policy
- Redirection Thoughts during Covid
- Retired Doctors and Respiratory Therapists
Recent Comments
- Cathy Carmody on Later Life Work and Career
- Carol Mills on Balance
- suzanne on Connection
- Carol Mills on Intergenerational Day in Canada
- Carol Mills on Connection
- Carol Mills on Connection
- Will on An Engaged and Active Retirement
- William Gage on Academic Entrepreneur
Blog Archives
- June 2021 (1)
- January 2021 (1)
- December 2020 (2)
- November 2020 (3)
- May 2020 (3)
- November 2019 (1)
- September 2018 (1)
- May 2018 (1)
- December 2017 (1)
- November 2017 (3)
- October 2017 (1)
- September 2017 (1)
- May 2017 (1)
- April 2017 (2)
- February 2017 (2)
- December 2016 (1)
- October 2016 (1)
- August 2016 (1)
- May 2016 (1)
- April 2016 (1)
- March 2016 (1)
- February 2016 (2)
- January 2016 (2)
- November 2015 (1)
- October 2015 (1)
- September 2015 (1)
- June 2015 (1)
- May 2015 (1)
- April 2015 (1)
- December 2014 (1)
- November 2014 (1)
- October 2014 (1)
- September 2014 (1)
- August 2014 (1)
- July 2014 (1)
- June 2014 (1)
- May 2014 (1)
- April 2014 (1)
- March 2014 (2)
- January 2014 (1)
- October 2013 (1)
- August 2013 (1)
- June 2013 (3)
- May 2013 (2)
- April 2013 (2)
- March 2013 (2)
- February 2013 (3)
- January 2013 (2)
- December 2012 (2)
- November 2012 (3)
- October 2012 (3)
- September 2012 (1)
As a grandparent, I have the fun of sharing my interests with my grandkids – and in return, they have helped me learn how to use my smart-phone. It’s a double win!!
That is so true, Stu. Thank you for describing the technology that we use and can always learn more about from each other.
When I was growing up, our grandparents lived in the upstairs apartment. It was a very special relationship, particularly with my grandmother. Now that I am a grandmother, I long to have the same physical closeness with my grandchildren that I experienced as a granddaughter.
The physical bond between loved ones, especially between grandparents and grandchildren is very powerful. Your story demonstrates that, Jean! Thanks for sharing it!
Grandchildren are our reward for gray hair.
Hello Floyd. We all need rewards in life and this is certainly a good one for the transition into aging and later life that we all (hope to) experience.