Many older adults have interests other than family. They work, play golf
and other sports, have active social lives and hobbies, and so on. So,
indeed, what's in grandparenting for them?
It depends on how much value a grandparent-and a parent places on
family ties and the need for and the flow of intergenerational
communications. Where family has meaning, interacting with a far away
grandchild adds substance to a 'value'. Then, as the grandparent ages,
communicating with the distant grandchild retains its strength as a
positive force, and enriches the remaining years. It reduces loneliness,
and is an antidote for apathy and depression. Entering grandparenting
with tolerance, constancy, and sincerity adds pleasures to a person's life.
In storytelling, grandparenting invites a call from a distant grandchild to
'Send me another story,' or better yet, 'I've got an idea for a story. Let me
tell you about it.'
The grandchild chose the grandparent over television and the many other
forms of professionally polished commercial entertainment that thrusts
forward for his or her attention. In so choosing, the youngster notifies
the grandparents through his/her appeal that they, the grandparents, are
wanted and needed. It's Grandchild reaching out and inviting Grandma
and Grandpa into his or her world-with affection.
In single-parent families and in families in which both parents work
away from home, there might not be as many opportunities to pass along
traditions, awareness, and values. Be that as it may, throughout history
the family and tribal elders passed their knowledge and codes of conduct
on to those who, as part of the natural process, carry the torches into the
future. This responsibility to family and community is in the substance
of existence.