Orphaned Grandparents Association
Remember "Grandparent's Day"
Press Releases:
Grandparent's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in September, of each year. Initially, when the holiday was first being conceived, our association wasn't particularly enthusiastic about doing so because its commercial bent was so apparent.
We had good reasons for being skeptical about a Grandparent's
Day holiday. After all, like so many others, we noticed how other holidays (Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, etc.) had become increasingly commercialized. For us at least, so many of these holidays, except those that involved children (and birthdays) have lost their true spirit of celebration. Gift giving has become an empty act, in many cases born more from obligation than spontaneous enthusiasm.
Was Grandparent's Day to be another materialistic feeding frenzy? Did we really need another holiday, even if it concerned grandparents? After thinking it over we decided that the Grandparent's Day issue is a more complex issue than it appears at first glance.
Opinions on the need for Grandparent's Day are mixed. Some say it's not needed and cite the view that it hasn't "caught on."
Some people feel we already have enough holidays. Others say it is a successful and important event.
Grandparents need recognition. Among this group of supporters number businesses (for example, greeting card and candy companies, restaurants and the flower industry) who have direct interest in promoting the day. The truth about the need for Grandparent's Day lies somewhere in between.
We began to understand how Grandparent's Day could serve an important purpose. But this couldn't happen in it's present form, that is, if it were just another seemingly "made-up" holiday with grandparents on the receiving end of store-bought gifts.
No. An important and meaningful Grandparent's Day should be a day when grandparents and great-grandparents make a point of showing their value to their families and society by giving of themselves- giving love, time and wisdom- and by sharing of themselves, too; sharing their life experiences with their loved ones.
It becomes clear to us that Grandparent's day can offer a way for Grandparents to affirm their identity and place in society and be a time to demonstrate their value to their families and society. A truly meaningful Grandparent's day, therefore, can be a time for Grandparents to celebrate their worth, to savor their own importance and to do something to show it.
It can be a time for Grandparents to gather their families together, to talk about their lives together, to examine new options and to heal old wounds. It can be a sorely needed time to re-affirm family connections and love. It can also be a time for Grandparents to initiate a "Grandparent's Day in the Schools Program", to begin "Grandparent Connection" programs in the community and especially in places of worship.
A real Grandparent's Day, therefore, is a day for grandparents and the family to reflect about grandparents' place and roles. It is also a day for the community to do the same.
What we don't need is a Grandparents' day as another holiday to give store-bought gifts (although small tokens of endearment are fine; something "home-made" like a child's drawing). Futhermore, grandparents should not be passive participants on Grandparent's day. It's not a "gimmee" day. There are enough other holidays for that. Grandparent's Day should make something memorable happen for their families and communities.
It's a day of giving- giving of self, sharing hopes, dreams and values, and setting an example for future generations. And having fun with grandchildren.
While Grandparent's day should be an emotional and spiritual day of celebration, within or for the family, it should be celebrated in a way that is responsive to the many shifts and changes in family structure that so many people are struggling with today. Grandparent's day should be a reaffirmation of grandparents' role in divided and blended families.
Summing up, do we need Grandparent's Day? Yes, we do. But if it has to be of value, Grandparent's Day like the religious holidays at year end, should be a day of contemplation, communion, and demonstration.
Therefore, next Grandparent's day, let's think about ourselves as grandparents. Then, gather available family and talk to family members. Share hopes, dreams, problems.
Plan for the future and forgive and heal old wounds. If you are not able to visit far- away family, send your grandchildren something you made for them. Send your children a love letter.
Or do something special for them. a mature grandparent is not concerned with what their family does for them, rather with what they are doing for their family; supporting, offering encouragement, helping, caring and loving.
Remember to do something in the community too. Start a Grandparent's Day celebration in schools, community centers, local organizations, places of worship. look around the community and identify those who need help.
Organize local grandparents to do something about it. For example, help the homeless, visit someone with AIDS in the hospital or hospice, whatever your interest or your mission.
Grandparent's day can be a cause for celebration. At least, it is good for grandparents to assess the state of their grandparenthood. It offers time. Time to focus grandparent consciousness, time to think about being a grandparent, time to review this role in life and time to think about going about the work of grandparenting.
Grandparent's day offers a special time in the year to think about being a grandparent. Thus it is valuable. And we do need a special time during the year to think about being a grandparent. Even though the truth is, as we all know, that every day is Grandparent's day. Just ask the grandchildren.
Vital Connections: The Foundation for Grandparenting Newsletter
A motion respecting the creation of a "National Grandparent's Day Adopted Unanimously" by members of the House of Commons in Canada today.
A reason to celebrate.
U.S.A. National Grandparent's Day
Last updated 05/05/2000