Senior to Senior: Family Ties

It’s not easy. Teenagers, young adults, even your children, have “attitude” these days and it has nothing to do honoring their elders. Still, we read every day about how young people struggle with depression. We, as aunts, uncles, and grandparents want to help. Alas, family dynamics have changed. Being an aunt, an uncle, a Grandparent, even a Great Grandparent is different today. Once upon a time a full cookie jar or just the act of hosting Sunday dinner for the family was enough, but those days are long gone. Today, young families tend to go to their own way and you have to be proactive if you want to stay in the mix. Grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles still play a vital role, as nonjudgmental role models. Children, little or big, have been having a rough time lately and are in dire need of all the love they can get. You may not live next door, or even in the same state, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a presence in their lives. Try not to be hurt when they come across as obnoxious little brats; you can’t demand love and affection, but if you can let them that you like them anyway, your day will come. Do what you can; spend time with them, send birthday cards, and spontaneous “just because” presents (the mail is a powerful tool). They may act uninterested, rude, and uncooperative, but one day they may surprise you by letting slip that they still remember one little incident, like a nature walk in the park, ten years later. Don’t be afraid to tap into their area of expertise. My nieces and nephew taught a grown-up me how to ride a bicycle. It was a hoot. They will be thrilled to teach you how to surf the internet or to swim/surf in the water. On the other side of the coin, you can share your skills with a needle or sauce pan with them. Most of all, keep in touch, there are some things that are more important than money or expensive gifts. Be there and let them know, often, how wonderful they are.