Resource guide for grandparents and their families
By Dr. Norman J. Fischer
Rules and Free Will: Are They Compatible?
There are, some who say, that by limiting the number of rules we are encouraging children to think for themselves, allowing them to use their imaginations.
Well, yeah, but there are rules and there are rules. Let’s be clear as to what we are talking about. Freedom without rules is nothing more than anarchy (ever seen a teenager’s bedroom?).
My two boys, Cashill and Beau, are growing up in a world inundated with technology. From the moment their alarm clock’s glow switches from red to green their life is guided by the many devices that surround them. Despite best efforts on my part, they’ve been navigating my iPhone seamlessly since before their second birthday. They’re as content drawing on the iPad as they are with a marker and paper. When curiosity strikes, their first instinct is to ask Siri.
A Presentation of the Colors at the beginning of last Tuesday night’s Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds game was brightened by the voices of the Colorado Jewish Youth Chorus who proudly belted out the National Anthem on the left outfield grass. Ranging from 3rd to 12th grades, the youngsters were led by Cantor Uri Ayn Rovner of Calliope Music Studios, and the fans were generous in their applause. The kids were thrilled to appear before the hometown crowd. We and the other grandparents and parents of the Chorus members were particularly moved by the children’s performance and were wildly enthusiastic in expressing our appreciation of their efforts. The kids may have even been a little embarrassed by our flailing of arms and screams for their attention as “so proudly we hailed.” [Read more…]
The Yiddish language contains some wonderfully expressive idioms, and as grandparents we are, from time to time, given the opportunity to”schlep nachas” (wordy English equivalent is “experience great happiness”) from the deeds of our grandkids. Such an experience was ours when we attended last week’s 2016 Bobby G Awards ceremony at the Denver Center’s Buell Theater.
By Marilyn Kopelman
A day before our sojourn to hear the Colorado Symphony’s yearly performance of Carmina Burana, I received a phone call from my kids asking if I could please take our granddaughter Reagan for an overnight that very same Saturday evening. Without a moment’s hesitation I said “yes!” I love taking this adorable 8 year old from her parents any chance I get. The thought of snuggling her – no holds barred – without strings or instructions, was music to my ears. Of course I would cancel our symphony tickets and delight in her company at our home instead. But this was not to be the case. Much to our surprise, Reagan wanted to accompany us to the symphony. In fact she pleaded that she didn’t want to spoil our plans and would sit extra still as the music played. Who could resist. She would accompany us on our Saturday night outing. [Read more…]
I recently read that Donna Lynne is leaving her job as a top executive of Kaiser Permanente to become Colorado’s newest lieutenant governor. Actually, that job should have gone to me, but I didn’t plan for the job and she did. [Read more…]
When my daughter was a teen in high school, she asked that she be allowed to attend a movie with her friends on a Friday night. As background, Friday nights were our family time, when we all sat at the dinner table, talking about our week, the weekend, etc. (We won’t talk about how the number who started at the table and the number that made it through until the end was often not the same.) [Read more…]
As a grandparent myself, I have learned the importance of teaching values such as kindness and unselfishness to my grandchildren. Children naturally want to give back, but often do not “volunteer” their services unless asked…which is typical for many people. As a professional working in senior healthcare and housing communities, there are countless opportunities for children to enrich the lives of seniors who no longer are able to live in their own homes. Senior facilities often develop robust “intergenerational programs” bringing children from local preschools or schools in to spend time with seniors who live there. [Read more…]
You raised your children and care for your grandchildren. You know that as your child grows, parenting begins to become an advisory role, the more diplomatic the greater the results. What, however, should be done when your child, with far less experience than you, begins to parent the grandchild you care about? [Read more…]
A strong bond between grandparents and their grandchildren can provide many benefits for all parties involved. A strong family connection not only allows for the passing down of shared history and culture, but also has been linked with emotional, cognitive and social benefits for both grandparents and teenage grandchildren. [Read more…]
