Being a grandparent is truly a gift. But what happens over time? As your grandchildren grow up and become teenagers, grandparenting may not be as easy as it once was. All of sudden it seems like you're living in different worlds. The relationship evolves - and so can your grandparenting. And if it does, there's a tremendous opportunity for both generations to learn from each other. Jerry Witkovsky and Deanna Shoss, the co-authors of the new book Where Two Worlds Meet, join the podcast to share practical tips on how to grandparent well as your grandchildren become teenagers,

Jerry joins us from Los Angeles and Deanna from Chicago.

___________________________

Bios 

Jerry Witkovsky (MSW, University of Illinois) is a beloved mentor to thousands of individuals and generations of families, thanks to 47 years of professional leadership, eighteen of them as General Director of the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago. In 1995 he was named one of the city's "Most Effective Non-Profit CEOs" by Crain's Chicago Business Magazine. Since his 1997 retirement, Jerry has focused his considerable energies on grandparenting facilitation—helping multigenerational families work (and play) together to create a rich family life.

Deanna Shoss (MA, DePaul University) is CEO of Intercultural Talk, Inc. She helps non-digital natives (aka didn't grow up with technology) promote their businesses or life projects with digital, intercultural, and real-life marketing. She starts with strategy and know-how to help them adapt to new communication technologies. Shoss takes an intergenerational approach that combines online communication platforms like websites/blogs, social media, email, and video with partnership and community building, diversity, equity, and includes best practices and events/promotions IRL (in real-life).

___________________________

For More About the Authors

Where Two Worlds Meet: A Guide to Connecting with Your Teenage Grandchildren

Jerry Witkovsky: grandparentsunleashed.com

Deanna Shoss: interculturaltalk.com

___________________________

Podcast Episodes You May Like

The Mindful Grandparent – Dr. Shirley Showalter

Launching Financial Grownups – Bobbi Rebell, CFP

Who Will Take Care of You When You Are Older? – Joy Loverde

Are You Ready for The New Long Life? – Andrew Scott

____________________________

Mentioned in this Episode

Breaking the Age Code – Dr. Becca Levy

The Secret to Entering Your Grandchild's World

___________________________

Wise Quotes 

On Appreciating the Challenges Teens Face Today

"...if they're asking the question, they are dealing with this in their life and the grandparent can be a sounding board. Even if it's, Well, tell me what you're thinking? How would you do it? They're not necessarily there to answer it, but maybe to hear and to help that grandchild think things through. And I'm guessing it is a little bit harder to be a teen nowadays with the pandemic and with school violence. And so many things that are facing teenagers today, grandparents need to let go of what it was like in their day. Still share all the stories, but really be open and receptive. Because if the grandchild says they're feeling it and experiencing it, then it's real for the grandchild."

On Authenticity vs. Trying to Be the Cool Grandparent

"...share your wisdom, share your experience. So basically you are already cool. You don't have to change who you are to be cool. You're already cool. Just be there and be authentic. Teens know authenticity. And they certainly know if you're not being authentic. And so just being you is it. We like to say you already have everything you need in you to be the best grandparent ever.