My fondest core memories are of seeing my grandma, aunts and uncles, parents, siblings, and cousins at one family member's house. The adults played epically long card games, and the kids were everywhere. It always ended with a kid or two at the same card table with the elders. We need more of that in contemporary life.
I loved this Anna! I actually feel somewhat hopeful that we might culturally try to course correct in the US. I know a lot of my friends are in the sandwich phase of life and are actively building lives around bringing their parents closer to their kids.
That's wonderful to hear! I hope we can course correct. I would love for it to go beyond depending only on family, for those of us who might not have that option. I have joked with friends that I want their parents to adopt my family and be honorary grandparents ;)
Wholeheartedly agree! When I was a kid, I went to Catholic school, and a couple of times a year we walked across the street to a nursing home and visited. It was not regularly but it was something.
All excellent points! When my son was younger and in weekly religious school, he became part of a team of kids who designed a way for the children to help others. The kids got to vote on which charity or project they would focus on each quarter. They helped design the projects and helped run them even though they were 8, 9 and 10 years old.
One of their favorite projects was to go to a senior citizen center nearby with bags of dirt and clay pots and seeds and the kids would decorate the pots with the seniors. They planted the seed in the dirt in the newly decorated pot. They visited regularly to play games and to make certain the plant was getting watered. They loved both designing with the seniors and seeing something grow. .
Thanks for sharing the video by Evan Briggs, Anna - beautiful to see the interactions. I wholeheartedly agree. Intergenerational communities not just buildings or places 'to go' would be amazing.
I wonder how this compares with different cultures, or rural versus towns/city dwellings, especially with declining birth rates. I'm no expert on this. I have read the increased pressure on younger and younger people to take on caregiving responsibilities - hence the UK Carers Trust action to support children who are also carers—heartbreaking. But also, 'assumed' obligations in traditional cultures in Asia.
I read about cohousing initiatives of older people with university students - enabling both to live well and support each other.
My fondest core memories are of seeing my grandma, aunts and uncles, parents, siblings, and cousins at one family member's house. The adults played epically long card games, and the kids were everywhere. It always ended with a kid or two at the same card table with the elders. We need more of that in contemporary life.
I so wish our kids had this experience!
I loved this Anna! I actually feel somewhat hopeful that we might culturally try to course correct in the US. I know a lot of my friends are in the sandwich phase of life and are actively building lives around bringing their parents closer to their kids.
That's wonderful to hear! I hope we can course correct. I would love for it to go beyond depending only on family, for those of us who might not have that option. I have joked with friends that I want their parents to adopt my family and be honorary grandparents ;)
Yes! What a great idea— picking honorary family seems fun too.
Wholeheartedly agree! When I was a kid, I went to Catholic school, and a couple of times a year we walked across the street to a nursing home and visited. It was not regularly but it was something.
The little somethings add up!
All excellent points! When my son was younger and in weekly religious school, he became part of a team of kids who designed a way for the children to help others. The kids got to vote on which charity or project they would focus on each quarter. They helped design the projects and helped run them even though they were 8, 9 and 10 years old.
One of their favorite projects was to go to a senior citizen center nearby with bags of dirt and clay pots and seeds and the kids would decorate the pots with the seniors. They planted the seed in the dirt in the newly decorated pot. They visited regularly to play games and to make certain the plant was getting watered. They loved both designing with the seniors and seeing something grow. .
What a lovely memory and experience for all involved! ❤️
Thanks for sharing the video by Evan Briggs, Anna - beautiful to see the interactions. I wholeheartedly agree. Intergenerational communities not just buildings or places 'to go' would be amazing.
I wonder how this compares with different cultures, or rural versus towns/city dwellings, especially with declining birth rates. I'm no expert on this. I have read the increased pressure on younger and younger people to take on caregiving responsibilities - hence the UK Carers Trust action to support children who are also carers—heartbreaking. But also, 'assumed' obligations in traditional cultures in Asia.
I read about cohousing initiatives of older people with university students - enabling both to live well and support each other.