neil

July 18, 2023

NEW GRANDPARENTS

Becoming a grandparent is a beautiful and life-changing experience. After a child’s parents, you can become the most influential contributor to this awe-inspiring Grandbaby. Opportunities abound, as do responsibilities. It is a chance to relive the joy of childhood through a new generation and to pass on your love and wisdom to the next generation. Above all, it is your chance to be the most effective support for the parents and contribute the most to your new bundle of joy. […]
July 18, 2023

THE GRANDPARENT SPECTRUMS

I am blessed with 9 Wonderful grandchildren and four equally wonderful, Great Grandchildren in our blended family. They range in age from 14 to 36. If you get the picture of a plethora of experiences, binary and Non-binary genders, socioeconomic, geographic, familial, and cultural backgrounds, you are getting the picture pretty clear. Some of my grandkids have been fortunate to have been raised in stable households; others are on the other end of the spectrum and have been abandoned by […]
July 10, 2023

THE QUALITY OF CONVERSATION

Did you ever notice that one person can enter a room and converse with multiple people? Is this a talent or a skill? Do you sometimes find yourself with your Pre-teen or teen Grandkids, and the conversation isn’t flowing as it used to? I used to get a call each Sunday morning from my three wonderful Grandchildren when they were on their 25-minute ride to church. At that time, they were like 10 to 15. I say used to because […]
June 29, 2023

WHAT CAN YOUR GRANDCHILDREN TEACH YOU?

The simple answer is……LOTS. How much? It depends on several things, such as their age, the quality of your relationship, the quality of your questions, etc. But most importantly, it depends on your openness and communicating your absence of judgment. My experience is that they have a lot of “Judges” already. Let’s take those one at a time. Age; The exciting part of Grandparenting is that you get a front-row seat to watch these amazing miracles grow and develop. Mine […]
June 12, 2023

IMPARTING CORE VALUES

I don’t remember meeting a Caring Grandparent who didn’t want to share their values with their Grandchildren. As we strive to meaningfully connect with each of our Grandkids, this becomes even more essential that we zero in on the way to do this that hits the target. It will be helpful to define what I mean when I say values since defining our Core Values is difficult. I have spent years and years refining what it is that I value […]
June 6, 2023

FAILURE AIN’T FINAL!

If you are a Grandparent who never failed at anything, you should take a Cat Nap for the next few minutes instead of reading this article………..That’s what I thought. A few weeks ago, I had extended ride time with my 15-year-old grandson, and we gabbed about all kinds of stuff. When we were near home, I took him down the ¾ mile driveway to the A-Frame house I built when my son was a mere lad. Needless to say, it […]
May 30, 2023

GRANDKIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

A friend of nearly 70 years sent me this list, and I hope you enjoy it as I did. How Children Perceive their grandparents. SEND THIS TO OTHER GRANDPARENTS, ALMOST GRANDPARENTS, OR HECK, SEND IT TO EVERYONE. IF THEY’RE NOT ALREADY GRANDPARENTS, SOMEDAY THEY’LL GET LUCKY AND BECOME ONE! IT MIGHT JUST MAKE THEIR DAY! Thanks for being a Caring Grandparent!
May 25, 2023

ASSEMBLE THE VILLAGE

It is aptly said that it takes a village to raise a child. The larger the Village, the better the chance that a child creates more meaningful options for themselves. When a child sees many diverse options, it goes so far as to help them see some of themselves in various people, especially if they know those people who Love and Care about them. It creates solid and fertile ground for them to grow. As Grandparents, we can foster the […]
May 22, 2023

MORE LOVE, NOT LESS

A True Champion of Grandparents Rights. I have spoken of the spectrum of Grandparents’ experiences. There is a painful end to the Grandparents’ Visitation spectrum. On one end, we have the function of a solid extended family unit that sees parents and grandparents, both Maternal and Paternal, joining forces to give the Grandkids the best experience of Love in the family. The other end of the spectrum is where you will see shattered family units where grandkids are used as […]