Happy Grandparents Day!

Intergenerational Experiences Benefit Children and Seniors

An annual event at Kangaroo Kids is Grandparents Tea!  Intergenerational opportunities abound as young and “mature” meet and provide an enriching experience for each other.  All children at Kangaroo Kids invited their grandparents to tea.  They worked together to plant flowers, make crafts and enjoy snacks, and read stories. 

Granddads and Grandmas, Mom Moms and Pop Pops , Nai Nai and Lao ye ,Paati - Tamil and Dada and Mums and Da’s, regardless of their culture the warmth and smiles they shared were glowing throughout the day.  The loving glance and admiring smiles each had for the other generation was priceless. 

In this fast paced and technology driven world this is truly a heart-warming experience to see the two generations bond and to see the love and support the grandparents at Kangaroo Kids had for their grandchildren.    .  

It is physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, healthy for children to have a close relationship with their grandparents, who are at the other end of the age spectrum.   Grandparents can be great role models and influences.  They provide a sense of heritage and family history, as well as being teachers, mentors, while giving unconditional love. 

Grandparents really are “grand” so do everything in your power to foster a strong relationship between your parents and your children.  Regular get togethers are best, but whenever they are not possible, staying connected is made easy through letters, e-mail, Facebook, Skype, and exchanging photos.    If your child’s grandparents live far away visit a nursing home and adopt a local grandparent.  It will help children feel comfortable when they visit their own grandparents and it will put a smile on a seniors face to share the joy and enthusiasm of a child.

 “The grandparent-grandchild bond is second in emotional importance only to the bond between parents and children”, says Arthur Kornhaber, author of the Grandparent Guide and president of the Foundation for Grandparenting  (www.grandparenting.org)