Welcome to the Foundation For Grandparenting:
On this page:
1) Origin, Purpose and Relevant Findings of the Foundation
2) Review of the work of the Grandparent Foundation 1975-present
3) Join the Grandparent Network
Thank you for your interest in our web site. We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise grandparent consciousness, and promote the importance of grandparenting as a role and function that both gives important meaning and empowerment to later life, and benefits all family members. In addition, we promote aspects of "grandparenting" as a role for all elders, whether or not they have biological grandchildren.
We call this "Grandparent Power" -- the power to love, care for others, and grow personally by so doing. This is especially relevant in today's society where there are few defined roles for older people. Our work has shown that today's new and unique grandparent generation, including elders who are not biological grandparents, if coalesced into a cohesive group, contain the possibilities for changing society for the better. The Foundation For Grandparenting wants to help this to happen.
To this end we have been exploring relevant ways that Elders can apply their wisdom, experience and long view of life to help their children, grandchildren, community and nation. To establish the importance of grandparenting, we have developed, implemented, and published basic research (in our ongoing Grandparent Study) concerning the nature of the grandparent-parent-grandchild bond and its far-reaching effects on all generations. Today, increasing numbers of researchers and organizations are also exploring varied aspects of grandparenting and intergenerational relationships.
We have put the findings of our research to practical use conceiving and implementing a number of national and international programs, including the "Grandparent Network," hospital programs for "Expectant" Grandparents," "Grandparent Days in Schools," and the "Grandparent Connection Program" - involving volunteer grandparents with children in day-care centers, religious institutions, nursing homes, mentor programs, etc. Many of these programs have been nationally and internationally replicated.
We have also developed a "Clinical Grandparenting" Program" with the St. Francis Academy (a behavioral health organization treating suffering children and their families). This involves recruiting grandparents to help their grandchildren as clinical allies, family historians and discharge resources
The Foundation's renowned Grandparent-Grandchild Summer Camp has helped both local and "Long Distance Grandparents" to become closer to their grandchildren. At the camps, grandparents and grandchildren from all over the country join together for a full week in a natural environment. They enjoy one another's company in a setting that is loosely structured and comfortable, ideal for forging a long-lasting "Vital Connection."
The Foundation's internationally recognized landmark research has
established the indispensability of grandparents, and supplied a solid theoretical basis
used by grandparents, lawyers and legislators to establish Grandparent Visitation Laws.
The Foundation convened the first National Grandparenting Conference in 1992 and continues
to be involved in grandparent consciousness-raising in the print and electronic media.
Recently the Foundation has been involved in programs and research supporting the valiant
efforts of millions of grandparents raising their grandchildren to gain social and
legislative recognition and support. The Foundation is also involved in an ongoing
research project exploring the differences in the way that young children relate to their
parents and grandparents. Efforts to develop courses for "Effective
Grandparenting," and "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren," to be
disseminated nationally are in the planning stage.
Raising public consciousness about the importance of the grandparenting role is a priority
for the Foundation. Staff and members regularly speak, write and appear on the media to
teach and promote the grandparenting cause. Our newsletter "Vital Connections,"
is internationally known and widely disseminated as the authoritative voice on substantive
grandparenting issues. Now a part of our website it contains articles packed with
up-to-date information on a variety of grandparenting issues. Our website is growing. we
hope to add new technologies in the near future; a chat hour, instructional videos,
videoconferencing and more.
We hope you will join us in our efforts to establish Grandparent Power -- to help Elders be a force for good in the world through grandparenting.. A tax-deductible contribution will help sustain present and future research, programs, and networking activities. For an annual contribution to the Foundation of $20.00 donors will receive "Vital Connections" quarterly, containing articles, updates and news concerning all aspects of the grandparent movement in America. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Thanks for your interest and support. Please keep in touch through the
mail or our web page. All the best.
Sincerely,
Arthur Kornhaber M.D.
President
Origin of the Foundation For Grandparenting
The Foundation For Grandparenting was born as a result of the important findings of the Grandparent Study. Instituted in 1975, the Grandparent Study is the longest ongoing study of the relationship between grandparents, grandchildren and parents. Over the years the study has evolved to include an examination of three and four generation relationships (child, parent, grandparent and great-grandparent) as well as investigation of the roles non-biological elders play for children (especially those at-risk).
Purpose of the Foundation For Grandparenting
Through research, program development, education, communication and networking:
 | To explore the Social, Psychological and Physiological Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships, and especially the Grandparent-Grandchild bond. |
| Manifesting "Grandparent Power" by creating new roles, programs and metaphors for useful and meaningful aging. |
| Promoting the roles and functions of "Grandparenting" for those without biological grandchildren. |
| Establishing an international community of grandparents dedicated to changing the world for the better. |
Selected Findings since 1975
| The grandparent-grandchild bond is a separate and unique human relationship, second only in emotional importance to the parent-child bond. |
| Grandparents and grandchildren have a complex relationship that comprises the biological, psychological, intellectual, social and spiritual "dimensions" of human experience. |
| The grandparent-grandchild relationship is an "illuminating" relationship that is a repository of the purest form of human love- unconditional love- non-judgmental love, freely given simply because the person exists. |
| The grandparent function is built on basic truths that may be expressed differently in different societies. |
| Grandchildren learn things from their grandparents they learn nowhere else. Contact with a beloved elder enhances a child's emotional, physical and spiritual health. |
| The role of grandparents is a template for elders to live a meaningful and useful life. Some roles are: living ancestor, family historian, nurturer, mentor, spiritual guide, wizard, crony and role model for the child's future grandparenthood and perception of aging. |
| The grandparenting role shifts and changes during the life cycle and responds to differing needs of the growing child. |
| Enacting the role of grandparents helps to maintain the mental and physical health, of aging individuals, as well as fostering a positive identity, and a sense of usefulness, empowerment and meaning to later life. |
| Some of the functions of biological grandparents can be carried out by non-biological grandparents. |
A Review of the Work of The Foundation For Grandparenting
1975-1978: Preliminary research 1978: Beginning of effort to implement consciousness raising projects and programs. Publication of Grandparents-Grandchildren- The Vital Connection" Arthur Kornhaber M.D. and Kenneth L. Woodward explaining the nature and complexity of the grandparent-grandchild relationship and it’s meaning for all family members.
1979: Program: Establishment of Grandparents Day in the Schools
1980: Program: Establishment of the Expectant Grandparent Program in hospitals (collaboration with LaMaze).
Organization: Establishment of the Foundation For Grandparenting, and conceiving the "Grandparent Movement," dedicated to creating an international community of grandparents to better the family and society.
Consciousness raising: Publication of articles (over 50). Speaking appearances nationally and internationally to raise consciousness about the grandparent movement.
1981: Legal Initiative: Use of basic research to support the establishment of Grandparent Visitation laws nationally. Organized a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives. Laws were subsequently enacted in all states. This initiative is ongoing.
1982: Programs: Community initiative; reaching out to at-risk children. Establishment of "Grandparent Connection" programs in schools, religious organizations, communities, etc. Establishment of "surrogate grandparent" programs. Mentoring.
1983: Academic Programs: Establishment of "Grandparent Classes" and the concept of "Grandparent University." Collaboration with Universities and individuals to offer courses. Curriculum development.
1984: Publication of "Between Parents and Grandparents" by Arthur Kornhaber M.D. exploring the complexities of the relationship between parents and grandparents, and its effect on the grandparent-grandchild relationship.
1985: Inaugural Grandparent-Grandchild Summer Camp as a creative project to foster the "vital connection" between "long-distance" grandparents and grandchildren.
1986: Initial publication of "Vital Connections" the quarterly newsletter of the Foundation For Grandparenting
1987: Social initiative: Addressing the issue of "Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren." Organized a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging.
Consciousness raising through media, professional symposia.
-Consultation and advocacy for the grandparent movement in academic, educational,
helping professions. legal, political, religious areas.
1988: Promoting awareness of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren issue.
Consciousness raising. Organizing national groups with Barbara Kirkland.
-Clinical initiative: Initiation of the Grandparent Clinical Project for at-risk
and behaviorally disordered children at the St. Francis Academy Treatment Centers. Project
objective: Using grandparents as family historians, clinical allies and discharge
resources for youngsters with behavioral disorders.
-Publication of the book "Spirit," by Arthur Kornhaber M.D. An effort,
among other issues, to explore and explain the spiritual and emotional aspects of the
grandparent-grandchild relationship that are inexplicable using current scientific
methodology.
1990: Collaboration and consultation with intergenerational projects and programs. Increased educational effort.
1991: Convening the first National Grandparenting Conference in Kansas City. MO., as part of "Grandparent University."
1992: Expanding Research: Exploration of the medical, psychological and
emotional benefits of the grandparent-grandchild relationship at the Mind/Body Medical
Institute, Harvard Medical School.
-Beginning scientific exploration of the differences in the ways children
communicate with parents and grandparents by videotaping, and analyzing their
interactions.
1993: Joint conference in Washington with Generations United. Joining grandparenting and intergenerational issues. Grandparent caregiving examined.
1994: Publication of "Grandparent Power," (Crown) by Arthur Kornhaber M.D. A "call to arms" for the new generation of grandparents to celebrate their identity and get involved.
1995: Publication of "Contemporary Grandparenting," (Sage Press) by Arthur Kornhaber M.D. - the first comprehensive textbook on grandparenting presenting new research and theories.
1996: Expansion of Networking and communication: media: Creation of web site web page on Internet. www.grandparenting.org.
1997: Expanding the idea of grandparenting beyond the biological relationship as
a function for all Elders, whether or not they have biological grandchildren. Conference
on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
-Established "Grandparent Productions" to promote grandparenting via film
and educational and entertainment television.
1998: Media effort. Increase in networking and communication efforts with public
appearances and bi-monthly appearances on national television (the NBC Today show). Dr.
Kornhaber’s appearances are coordinated with the MSNBC web site and connected to the
website of the Foundation For Grandparenting.
-Grandparent Productions: Production of two film projects. "Click Three
Times" and "Kartenspieler."
1999: Educational initiative- Plans to increase efforts in education,
communication, networking, and research.
-Communication and Networking- Expansion of website www.grandparenting.org to include international
advisory board. Educational Conference: Convened first-time (statewide) conference for
Grandparents Of Children With Disabilities in New Mexico.
-Develop film projects through Grandparent Productions. Release of
"Kartenspieler" in the summer of 1999.
2000- Projects in development for the New Millenium
"Effective grandparenting," educational video to be produced in
collaboration with "Grandparent Productions."
-"Grandparents" an hour long television show.
-Expand academic research.
-Continue the grandparent-grandchild summer camp into its fifteenth year.
-Convene a national conference for "Grandparents of Children with Special
Needs" in Santa -Fe, New Mexico and other locations.
-Continually improve and expand the website by including new technologies. Enlarge
our international grandparent community by adding foreign URL's. Expand interactivity of
website
2002- Expand research into the effects of gay and lesbian parenthood
on their own parents as grandparents.
- Publication of new book by Dr. Kornhaber, "The
Grandparent Guide" (McGraw Hill/ Contemporary Books). Summer 2002 .
-Continue to expand scope and reach of website.
-Continue media campaign with corporate partners who support and advocate
aspects of grandparenting, ex. Shutterfly.com and "Long-Distance
Grandparenting." Hampton Inns.com and "Grandparents as Family
Historians" with their "Grand Memories" program.
2003. The Grandparent Guide."
2004- Educating parents about the Importance of enhancing child-parent-grandparent bonds and asking grandparents for help when needed. The new book for parents. "The Grandparent Solution," (Jossey-Bass Publishers.
2006- Continuing consciousness-raising, dissemination of programs, media campaign, and website.
2007- Development of stageplay "A Matter of Convenience," by Dr. Kornhaber This dramatic work deals with the views and experiences of all three generations in the matter of grandparent's and grandchildren's rights to one another.
2008- Research into new "stewardship" role of
grandparents.
- Development of "The Spirit
of Grandparenting" project.
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Join The Grandparent Network!
Send your tax deductible donation to:
The Foundation for Grandparenting
108 Farnham Road
Ojai, CA 93023
$100 To sustain research and program development.
$ 75 To sustain current programs.
$ 50 To sustain communications programs, Instructional Videos, and
our World Wide Web site.
$ 20 To support our website and printed publications.
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