Grandparents Should Be Honored For Their Wisdom and Experience

National Grandparents Day is observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day, and its purpose is to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to express and show their love for their children's kids, and to help children become aware of the strength, guidance, and information that our senior population can offer.

Upcoming National Grandparents Day observances include:

2007 - Sunday, Sept. 9

2008 - Sunday, Sept. 7

2009 - Sunday, Sept. 13

The National Grandparents Day celebration got its start in 1970 from a West Virginia homemaker, who initiated a campaign to have a day in observance of the contributions of grandparents in our society. The grassroots effort grew, and in 1978, legislation was passed proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This annual event is now observed by millions of families.

to the National Grandparents Day Council, a non-profit corporation established by descendents of Marian H. McQuade, founder of National Grandparents Day, the optimal way to spend the day is to make it a family day. But grandparents should not just be honored on a single day each year. Schools, churches and senior organizations can plan events any time during the year to honor grandparents in whichever way is most appropriate for their needs. Some families have small celebrations; others plan family reunions. The key is to cultivate intergenerational activities.

The Council offers these family recommendations for making National Grandparents Day or any special event special:

Board games that are easily played by young and old add enjoyment to family gatherings and enhance "intergenerational interaction."

Create an opportunity for story-telling, allowing grandparents to relate stories of their past, enlightening children about "the good ol' days."

Help children and/or grandchildren to identify and date all photos in old family albums. Many happy memories can be derived, and the activity provides a time to discover one's roots and learn patience, understanding and appreciation for the elderly. A grandparents day celebration in any form is a perfect time to enhance communication between the generations.

Provide an opportunity for a grandparent to pass down a special skill, hobby, or interest. Whether it is preparing a beloved family recipe, quilting, genealogy, painting, or tips for making the garden's crops so plentiful, should be shared with family members. It could also be special family traditions, music, songs, celebrations, or even beliefs. Grandparents are such a wealth of information rich in history, but sometimes the young don't ask enough questions. Remember, the knowledge helps to preserve the heritage that makes the family so very special.

Involve grandparents in daily activities and events as much as practical and of interest. Grandparents offer very special relationships with their grandchildren and a close relationship can forge a very special bond that spans the age differences and times.

Remember those who are in nursing homes and are unable to be with their families. Grandparents typically bestow a loving spirit of love and respect, and gratitude should be extended beginning with our very youngest generations.

Remember others' grandparents in nursing homes who are unable to be with their families or, sadly enough, have no families. Even simple acknowledgements such as a card or a phone call can brighten the day of a senior.

See next page for ideas for schools, child care providers, and community groups to help celebrate grandparents, not just on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year, but all year long!