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 | Nov 28, 2016 | Child development, Community, Cooking and Eating, Family, Grandparenting
Make a Gratitude Tree Next Thanksgiving At our family Thanksgiving gathering we made a Gratitude Tree. Earlier in the day my five year old granddaughter had painted the trunk of the tree on a piece of poster paper I had rolled up and carried to San Diego in my...
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 | Sep 20, 2016 | Aging, Child development, Family, Grandparenting, Travel
Do you remember what it was like the first time you watched a city recede beneath you, the houses and cars and people becoming smaller and smaller? I had forgotten, but I remembered last weekend as my granddaughter pressed her nose to the cold glass trying to get as...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Sep 12, 2016 | Aging, Child development, Family, Grandparenting
It is my belief that grandparenting is the most important family role of the new century.” – Roma Hanks, Ph.D. Yesterday was Grandparents’ Day and I spent it at Ikea with my daughter and granddaughter. That may seem like a strange way to spend a...