Grandparent of “today” -vs- Grandparent of “yesterday”

I always get the biggest kick when I read comments, articles and books that seem to “blame Boomers” for being the largest and most influential generation to ever exist. As though somehow we played a personal role in devising, plotting, and then executing,…a plan to be born in mass so that one day we could rule the world.

Sorry folks, but our 76 million strong generation is truly nothing more than “cause” (WWII vet’s coming home from a long war!) and “effect” (Do I really need to explain this?)

Truth is, Boomers have broken every mold and ignored every norm because what was in place was antiquated in light of 76 million people showing up for the ball.

And here we are again,.. 40 million Boomers showing up at the threshold of “Grandparenting” at the same time. And yes, we are going to give grandparenting a face-lift,…the traditional role of grandparents is outdated, so much has changed!
“Extended life-spans”, “Better disease control, health care and over all physical condition”, and “Different financial structures”,…means the grandparent of today is a new breed of animal compared to the grandparent of the past.

* At an age that use to signify the ‘end’ of life, Boomers are just blooming! Forty-eight is considered about middle age and seventy-five and older is considered ‘finally growing up’.

* The high divorce rate among boomers added a twist to things, many have grandchildren, while at the same time have their own young children!

* Thanks to the shift from the “Industrial Age” to the “Information Age”,..Success is now “Ageless”. Earning power exists at ANY age. That means more disposable income to spend on our grandchildren.

* We are younger Mentally and Physically than our grandparents, and younger, healthier grandparents mean playing more of an active role in the lives of our grandchildren.

We are NOT the grandparents of the past and it would be fool-hearty to imagine that we COULD be.

Whereas the responsibility of grandchildren use to lie squarely on ‘parents shoulders’, in todays world we are willing to step up to the plate and realize the difference that we can make being involved in our grandchildrens lives.

AND WE LOVE IT.