Sometimes grandparents can enlist the help of children more effectively than parents can. This is also true of nature experiences. Hiking, camping, and other exploring activities have great potential for bringing family members together and reconnecting us with the earth. Environmentalist Rachel Carson wrote a beautiful book, A Sense of Wonder, illustrated with even more beautiful photos of her nature experiences with her young nephew. Indoor play and storytelling Resources like Just Family Nights give families ample material for family night activities and celebrations combining fun, faith, and fellowship and countering a dangerous trend toward less and less family time.
TV is especially worrisome.
The stories that used to bind generations together have largely been replaced by television shows, often violent and always surrounded by an atmosphere of blatant consumerism. Parents and grandparents need to reclaim the role of storyteller, with the aid of family photo albums, scrapbooks, home videos, and children's books that keep alive the stories of societal heroes. Some grandparents have audiotaped or videotaped themselves telling or reading their favorite stories to their grandchildren, preserving these stories and generational bonds for generations to come. There have been 171 accesses to this page since August 15, 2000.