Overview

Grandmothers Circle

“Becoming a grandmother turns the page. Line by line you are rewritten. You are tilted off your old center, spun into new turf.” — Becoming Grandma by Lesley Stahl

Becoming a grandparent marks a meaningful shift in identify, often prompting reflection on evolving family roles, personal boundaries, past parenting, and future hopes. It introduces new joys and responsibilities, while also raising questions about how to support without overstepping, and how to pass on values to the next generation. Led by Francine Smilen, this group aims to help participants build new friendships, share experiences, learn from each other, establish a supportive network and address key issues.

Topics include, but are not limited, to:

- What is the difference between being a parent and a grandparent?

- What do you observe about your child/children’s in their role as a parent? Are there similarities or differences from how you raised them? Where do they get advice? Should you give advice?

- What can you remember from your own grandparents and/or parents? Do your past relationships with them affect your own approach?

- Grandparenting from a distance: the joys and challenges

- “December dilemma:” Navigating interfaith and diverse family cultures

- The “other grandparents”

- Grandparenting in tough times: boundaries and roles

- Balancing your life with theirs

- How has becoming a grandparent affected your friendships?

- What would you like your legacy to be?

- Having tough conversations – end-of-life decisions, wills and inheritance, health proxies, and more …

Open to women with grandchildren of any age.