The grandparent may think, Don t get involved stay out of it. Childrearing is the parents job, or I don t want to pressure them to let me visit they have lives of their own to live. Hidden within these kinds of statements is an underlying belief that children and elders do not really need contact with each other or, if they do, elders are powerless to influence the lives of the younger generation. Somehow we have to begin to reestablish and support the vital connection between elders and children. Our lives can be enriched by contact with people of all ages.
Children have much to learn from their elders.
For their part, elders can benefit from involvement with children by establishing a sense of connection with the younger generation and knowing they play an important role in their lives. The program can also be used by elders who adopt a grandchild. Children who have no natural grandparents may enjoy being a sort of pen pal to a special elder friend. By using the mail to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences, grandparents and grandchildren will draw closer together, learn from each other and build a reservoir of happy memories. The issues were selected by a group of elders, parents and professionals for their importance to both elders and children.