Grandparenting Creatively in a Quakerly Manner
Objectives
An opportunity to:
- Reflect on their grandparenting role
- Envision how they would like to grandparent
- Problem solve what is possible given the circumstances
First Session
Queries to guide session
- What role do I have in the lives of my grandchildren?
- What role do I wish I had?
- How can my Quaker Faith guide me as I walk this Grandparenting path?
Circle introductions
- Introduce our extended families using pictures
- Something we have done together that was fun or
- Something we would have liked to have done together that would have been fun.
List our issues (They might include)
- Children live far away
- Members not speaking to each other
- Grandchildren not doing well
- Children being dumped on you
- Not seeing grandchildren
Take one issue—
- Brainstorm ideas for solving
Building our picture of the ideal family —
- What would our ideal extended family look like?
- (Work in small groups)
- Who include?
- Activities
- Pool our dreams
Holding a member of our extended family in the Light
Second Session
This session will grow out of the material presented during the first session
Possible topics
- Issue: Grandparent listed geographical distance from grandchildren
- Workshop: Brainstorming schemes for keeping in touch.
- Issue: Parents will not let grandparents see grandchild. There is no communication with family
- Workshop: Draw on Quaker practices for help in understanding.Draw on Quaker testimonies for guidance
- Issue: Grandchild have serious problems
- Workshop:
- Identifying problems
- Brainstorming possible ways of dealing with problems
- Turning to our Quaker faith to guide us in how to support the child