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Grandparents Bridging Generations
July 31, 2007
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead
-Margaret Mead
"To perform the role with style and grace, it takes an understanding heart, a patient demeanor, and a wise soul. It's not easy handing over the childrearing reigns. It requires setting aside ego and personal preferences.
"Even in the most compatible families, grandparents tiptoe a fine line, constantly seeking the delicate balance between extremes. They want to be involved, but not intrusive. They want to be helpful, but not domineering. They want to be respected, but not feared. They want to be interested, but not busybodies. Mostly they want to be welcomed into grandkids' daily lives, not just their holiday celebrations.
"Most grandparents successfully create a cozy, indispensable niche within the heart of the family. Even when families live states apart, parents tell me grandparents are the first people they turn to when tykes are ill, when behavior becomes challenging, or when crisis strikes. It's as true today as it was in yester-year: grandparents are the most reliable support system families have. As it should be."
Editor's Note:
The reason we selected this particular message was that as of July 28 we, too, are now grandparents. Here is a picture of our lovely new grandchild, Zachary.
Contributed by Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer
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Comments (11)
Displaying 5 of 11 Comments [ View all ]Nebraska AEYC
Lincoln, NE, United States
Bonnie & Roger,
Congratulations! Becoming a grandparent was one of my greatest joys! My first grandchild is now 16 and she is still such a joy! Between my husband and I we have 13 grandchildren and each and everyone of them are so very special! What a darling picture of your little Zachary!!!
Pat
Oakland, CA, United States
Congrats on the new little light in your lives! What a cutie and what a happy looking couple! I know that you will love being grandparents!
I too will soon be a grandparent! My first! My daughter told me most of her life that she'd never have children so I gave up thinking about them. And then lo and behold! She changed her mind! Amazing! We are so thrilled to be granparents.
From this Grandmother in waiting to you, Here's to being grandparents!
YEAH!
Legacy of Caring, Inc.
United States
Urie Bronfenbrenner’s "Rebuilding The Nest" included the “third party” proposition about building competence and character ... that “the establishment and maintenance of patterns of progressively more complex interaction and emotional attachment between caregiver and child depend in substantial degree on the availability and involvement of another adult, a third party who assists, encourages, spells off, gives status to, and expresses admiration and affection for the person caring for and engaging in joint activity with the child.” Congrats to the duo most likely to be considered one of Zachary’s great "third party" assets!
Roberta R. Owens
BANANAS
Oakland, CA, United States
Congratulations on achieving grandparenthood! It's a lovely place to be in life. Remember how no one could tell us what it was going to be like to be a parent? It's the same for grandparents.
Retired ECD Prof. CC
Claremont, CA, United States
Congratulations! Zachary is beautiful. We don't have grandkids of our own but do have step-grandkids and 2 yrs- 27 yrs. We enjoy them and do find that balancing the role is sometimes tricky sometimes. Katie
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