The Joy and Wisdom of Grandparenting
Almost nobody searches for a grandparents’ rights lawyer because things are going well. Maybe your son or daughter died and the surviving parent has stopped letting you see your grandchild. Maybe a divorce fractured a relationship that used to be close. Maybe there has been an estrangement you still do not fully understand. Or perhaps … Read more
A child’s first autism therapy session often brings a mix of curiosity and hesitation. New surroundings, unfamiliar faces, and structured activities can feel overwhelming without the right preparation. A calm and thoughtful approach can help ease tension and build confidence before the first visit. Parents across Arizona often look for ways to make this transition … Read more
Autism testing typically results in a diagnosis, which comes with a million different emotions for kids and families. For some, it is overwhelming, and others may feel unsure. Families can prepare for the next steps by understanding what comes next after the evaluation. This article outlines constructive steps to consider following autism testing, aiming to … Read more
Thursdays with Aiden BY DAVID BLAKE Judy and I had our choice of living anywhere in the world when I retired in 1999, and we considered many options. We decided on Santa Rosa because family and lifelong friends lived in the Bay Area, but primarily because our youngest daughter, Colleen, and her young family lived … Read more
Gramping Oliver BY BOB PUTMAN My son Dan plucks pudgy, blue-eyed, 20-month-old Ollie from his walker and lays him on a changing pad. Elissa’s refined tastes adorn the living room: a contemporary white sofa and stuffed chair, dark bookcases, and the striated blue rug they chose together. She’s currently at work, leading an HR team … Read more
Mental health has taken a hit in today’s world, all our fancy technologies and provisions notwithstanding. We live in stressed-out times, where problems related to mental wellness are the norm rather than the exception. Recent WHO data shows that more than 1 billion of us, all around the world, deal with mental health challenges. Anxiety … Read more
As more grandparents are raising their grandchildren and/or stepping in to help their grandkids celebrate a safe Halloween, we want to share this safety message. Halloween is approaching, prompting urgent safety warnings from Sneha Raisoni, Co-founder of Plan B, a children’s clothing expert and innerwear and loungewear brand. She cautions that many mass-market costumes carry hidden … Read more
GRANDPA AND THE JELLYBEAN DRAGON Lessons on contentment from a pocket-sized philosopher By Ron Fredman One of the nicest things about being a grandpa is getting to meet all the little ones’ friends. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting a dandy—a half-inch blend of dragon and glossy-red jellybean. We found ourselves bench-mates while four-year-old … Read more
Ever wish you were just minutes away instead of missing big moments from afar? For many grandparents, moving closer to family isn’t about downsizing—it’s about being part of daily life. From school pick-ups to weekend breakfasts, being nearby starts to matter more than space. That’s why many retirees are choosing family over far-off retirement spots. … Read more
When your grandchild graduates BY CHRISTINE CROSBY Whether from kindergarten, high school, or college, the immense love and joy we feel for our grandchildren as they grow up is off the charts! I’m pictured above with my grandson, Jacob Currier Sharpe, who just graduated from the University of Florida. As I stood there watching him … Read more
When a grandchild is young, you guide them with bedtime stories and backyard adventures. But as they grow older and begin thinking about life after high school, your role naturally shifts. You become a sounding board, a source of wisdom, and, if you’re lucky, someone they trust when the big decisions come around. One of … Read more
Grandma, Do You Like To Paint? BY MARY JO MELOY While driving, my 3-year-old granddaughter was buckled in her car seat and inquired if I liked to paint. I said yes, and then a few minutes passed, and she asked again, “Grandma, do you like to paint?” I repeated my yes and wondered what was … Read more
Intergeneration Travel Tradition BY DONNE DAVIS Intergenerational travel has been a longstanding tradition in my family. When I graduated high school, my maternal grandma Amelia and I rode Amtrak’s California Zephyr from San Francisco to New York. We sat in the dome car and ate our meals in the Pullman car. I cherished my bond … Read more
BY CHRISTINE CROSBY Many people mistakingly think that grandparenting does not require education. They seem to believe that being a grandparent is as simple as falling off a log. I’m here to tell the world that just isn’t true. “…if you aren’t innovative and up-to-date, you could ruin a good thing.” To be a grandparent … Read more
