- Where Two Worlds Meet – Jerry Witkovsky & Deanna Shoss Retirement Wisdom 37:13
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.
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Bios
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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
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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
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Mentioned in this Episode
Breaking the Age Code – Dr. Becca Levy
The Secret to Entering Your Grandchild’s World
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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. Now’s the time just to bring your full self to the relationship.”
On Starting Family Traditions
“What’s so wonderful about traditions is that nobody has [a monopoly on them]. You don’t need permission to create a tradition that you have with your grandchildren. You just need to do it three times and say, Oh, we’re doing this, we’re doing this again. And that’s how it becomes tradition, which is so wonderful.”
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He’s the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy coming this summer.
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Intro and Outro voiceovers by Ross Huguet.
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