This paper is a combination of a grandfather's musings over his grandson's drawings, combined with a reconsideration of hermeneutics as an early childhood educational theory.

Barbara T. Bowman, MA, the Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development at Erikson Institute, discusses the important roles that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. Dr. Bowman offers suggestion for how to approach the grandparenting role, including setting boundaries, maintaining open communication, and valuing the…

America now possesses not only the largest and fastest-growing population of older adults in our history but also the healthiest, most vigorous, best educated and civic-minded. By the year 2025, one of every four Americans will be a grandparent. However, the real potential is not in the numbers, but in the emotional attachment between grandparents…

In this performance autoethnography, the author explores her positionality (Davies, 2000; Spry, 2001 ) in the Spanish-speaking community, moving from her outsider role as an interpreter at the Health Department to her relationships with some of the women and their families to her current position as the grandmother of a Mexican American grandson.…

Generational conflict is back. After years of relative silence, and mutual ignorance, the young and old are once more at war. With youth unemployment high on the political agenda, the fortunes of the "jobless generation" are being contrasted with those of the "golden generation" of baby boomers, but is one generation really…

Nothing can compare with the boundless love that a grandparent feels for their grandchild. The gift of grandchildren is one of life's greatest blessings. But life does not always deliver its blessings in the package one expects. The diagnosis of autism is for many a jolt into a new world. For parents, the diagnosis tears their hearts and brings…

Discusses the responsibilities administrators and educators have to grandparents in charge of their grandchildren. Presents three cases and examines the problems in each situation. Suggests that being a grandparent today can be frightening because, depending on their age and attitude, grandparents have not adjusted to all the changes in…

In the past 10 years the United States has seen a dramatic increase in the number of children who live without their parents in a household headed by a relative. More than 2.5 million grandparents now raise grandchildren without a biological parent present in the home. Grandparents who assume responsibility for their grandchildren are unsung…

Discusses the effects of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Notes that grandparents raising young children are challenged emotionally, physically, and financially, and that the children must deal with many confusing, troubling emotions, including grief and loss, guilt, fear, embarrassment, and anger. Considers the importance of the…

Defines the grandmother-grandchild relationship in light of Montessori theory, focusing on the prepared environment. Recommends having bookshelves for the grandparents' collection of their own favorite children's books, arranging puzzles and other manipulatives around the house, adapting home tasks to include the child, sharing meaningful time…

Rituals are often present at times of tension, change, and uncertainty and they perform important and diverse functions at such times. They are, however, virtually absent at one important and increasingly common event, divorce. Families do draw upon rituals to deal with in-law relationships following divorce. This report stemmed from a research…

"Grandparents University", a program planned and sponsored collaboratively by the University of Wisconsin--Extension Cooperative Extension Family Living Programs and the Wisconsin Alumni Association, was designed to enhance the relationship that exists between the grandparent and grandchild. In July of each year, grandchildren between…

Describes the scope and circumstances of grandparents rearing grandchildren as gathered by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Grandparent Information Center. Addresses the problems facing grandparent-headed families, avenues of assistance, and public policy considerations. Also addresses major needs including support groups, legal…

Describes Project GUIDE (Grandparents United: Intergenerational Developmental Education), a five-year program for grandparents who rear their grandchildren and the children affected. Notes that the program is designed to reduce stress and enhance self-esteem of intergenerational families and is centered around eight goals. Traced the program…

Over the last decade, considerable media attention and public discussion have focused on the varied roles that grandparents play in family life. Much of this public attention has centered on grandparents who assume parental responsibilities for their grandchildren. Similarly, grandparents are recognized for the active but temporary roles they…