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When I found the intriguing email from Seniors For Living (SeniorsForLiving.com), announcing they'd released another interesting-sounding resource, this time for grandparents, I had to read it. It took me awhile to get to it because of the PILES of paper waiting in front of me. But, oh, the wait was well worth it! Grandparents and Intergenerational Activities Resource Guide by Michelle Seitzer is definitely GRAND.
Now granted, I'm a bit prejudiced because I'M in it! 🙂
"Self-proclaimed Granny Nanny Kaye Swain is the genius behind SandwichINK. Browse her tips for Having Fun with Grandchildren."
This granny nanny DEFINITELY appreciates that sweet comment. BUT if you took that out, it's STILL a great resource. From the cute grandparents' quotes to the vital statistics – like how many heads of household will be GRANDPARENTS raising grandkids by 2015 (the number is staggering!). There are tips for the names your grandkids can call you. And no, mine don't call me granny nanny. I'm just plain and sweet GRANDMA to all of them, and love it. 🙂 There's fun links to grand ideas for activities for grandparents and their grandchildren, including those great Wii games for grand kids and the seniors who love them.
Did you know there are even camps for grandparents and their grandkids! Grandpa's as well as grandma's – which is good, since there's a LOT of grandFATHERS doing the granny nanny (pappy nanny?) work in their families. I was just talking to a friend who is retired and having the best time with his brand new grandson, playing with him, babysitting him, and carting him all around his mini-farm. He is joy-fully enthralled and making the most of his moments with that little one as he babysits three times a week!
There are also terrific resources for those who want to be grandparents but aren't – and how they can find grandchildren in their communities who need grandparents and get connected through volunteering. We never did that formally, but some of my kids best friends growing up were sweet elderly neighbors who turned into dear "grandparents" near-by – wonderfully supplementing the sweet love they also got from grandparents far away.
And, of course, since this is Seniors For Living – experts in the matters of caring for the elderly parents and relatives at home or in a care facility, they have some excellent links and tips for caring for and dealing with elderly grandparents who have developed dementia symptoms.
All in all, it's definitely another great resource from Seniors For Living, and I so appreciate being included in this. Definitely a special treat for this Sandwich Generation granny nanny and fun to share with y'all on Pink Saturday! 🙂
P.S. Want to know about another fun resource, full of great activities and ideas for grandparents and grandchildren. Check out Sharon Lovejoy's book, Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars: Grandma's Bag of Tricks. It's great. 🙂
Hi Kaye~
I enjoyed reading about this! I work in a school district that has many grandparents raising their grandchildren – hard work but so often a blessing for both.
Happy Pink Saturday!
Congratulations!….
Next will be seeing you interviewed on morning talk shows….and what a great show that will be. 🙂
All you do, all your great tips and all your pink posts are so very appreciated by us all.
Have a pinkishly beautiful weekend.
Hi Holly, Thank you. I used to work in a large school district many many MANY years ago – and found the same thing then as well. But I bet it’s even more now! And yes, a definite blessing AND often hard work – and I am just babysitting the grandchildren. 🙂 But sooo much fun and full of hugs! 🙂 🙂 🙂
WOW Robin, thank you for the sweet thoughts 🙂 I do have a couple of videos at YouTube – all about my exploding Pepsi cans and boomer and senior gardening projects. 🙂 Have a blessed week as well 🙂
Happy Pink Saturday Kaye Sweetie…
What a delightful and loving post today. I love hopping over to see what you have to share. One day when you have your own talk show, I can say I remember her when.
You really hit home with the grandparents raising their grandkids these days. Our daughter has lived with us for a couple of years now, and we have helped in raising her 2 girls. They are like daughters to us, more than grands. With tough times, more and more families are having to resort to this.
Have a beautiful weekend sweetie. As always, I love stopping by to say hello. Many hugs and much love from Phoenix, Sherry
Thank you Sherry 🙂 And what a blessing to have your granddaughters so close. Such delightful opportunities for creating a lovely spiritual legacy not to mention all those extra hugs and kisses. Definite joy! Thanks again for your sweet visit and lovely words of encouragement. I have a huge smile on my face as I type 🙂 🙂 🙂
I see it more and more. I always wonder how they do it. I have trouble keeping up with my own kids.
hugs,
You are so right Dee. The energy level is definitely not as high in my 50s as it was in my 30s. BUT my patience level does seem to be a bit higher (most of the time). So maybe it evens out? 🙂