by Marlene Bumgarner | Mar 3, 2017 | Aging, Child development, Community, Family, Grandparenting
A New Role for Grandma Since New Years’ Eve 2016 I have been in San Diego, living with my son and daughter-in-law and caring for their first child, my youngest granddaughter, while they work. Meeting the needs of an infant is taxing physically and emotionally. ...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Dec 28, 2016 | Aging, Christmas in Yorkshire, Cooking and Eating, England, Family, Grandparenting
Our Tree is Down I’m quietly celebrating the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Because I will soon be driving south, I have already taken down my decorations, and today I will put them in boxes and back in the garage until next year. I love this...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Nov 16, 2016 | Aging, Community, Cooking and Eating, Family
I’m feeling a bit stretched right now, as I suspect many of you are. Between the after-election malaise and the annoyance of Christmas carols before we’ve even celebrated Thanksgiving, I feel the need for some down time. Thus, no regular post this week....
by Marlene Bumgarner | Nov 2, 2016 | Aging, Child development, Cooking and Eating, Family, Grandparenting, Travel
Packing Activities in a Suitcase One of the topics we discussed at our second Grandparent Meetup was how to nurture relationships with grandchildren who live far away. Favorites were frequent visits, FaceTime and Skype conversations, affectionate notes mailed...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Oct 11, 2016 | Aging, Child development, Community, Family, Good Reads, Grandparenting
A Different Way to Check out Books One long hot day last summer Bean and I were tired of being inside the house and decided to go for a walk. I regretted our decision as soon as the hot moist heat hit my face, but Bean was scootering happily down the street so I...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Oct 3, 2016 | Aging, Community, Family, Grandparenting, Health
A week in the life of this Grandmother . . . Last week was very busy. Two weeks earlier I had embarked on the creation of a support group for grandparents, some of whom had relocated as I did, to help take care of their grandchildren. Monday night, as I worked on the...