Brock Griffin

5 Grand Roles for Grandparents

Posted by Brock Griffin | Nov 5, 2018 | Grandchildren | 0 |

Eighteen years ago, my husband and I waited expectantly for the arrival of our first grandchild. We were excited, happy, and curious about grandparenting. Just like new parents, we had no inkling as to how much grandchildren would change our lives. We heard from other grandparents that it was the best thing in the world, and that we could love on the babies and send them home when they cried. This was not nearly enough information. We also found that some of it was false. There are still times when our heart breaks over our grandchildren, just as it...

Filling the Grandparenting Void

Posted by Brock Griffin | Aug 19, 2018 | Grandchildren | 0 |

Most of us have no chance to change the world. But any of us can have an impact on our own little corner of the world. Don Shulz is a 64-year-old retired gentleman who suffered a stroke over four years ago. Now, he’s restricted to a three-wheeled motorized wheelchair. I’m sure some men in that condition would give up on life, thinking they had nothing more to contribute. Not Don. Not long ago, Don got to know a young African American family in his neighborhood while they were outside taking walks. They became friends, and soon the young mother asked Don...

Helping to Shape a Future Worker

Posted by Brock Griffin | May 12, 2018 | Education | 0 |

Grandparent, do you find yourself speculating about your grandchild’s future career path? If your grandkids are like mine, people started characterizing them from an early age: “Wow, she has long fingers. She’ll be a great piano player some day.” Or, “He loves to push buttons and figure out how things work. I bet he’ll grow up to be an engineer.” Now, we know that many complicated factors determine our grandchild’s future. And the future is uncertain. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start shaping and visioning with our grandchildren-even at a young age. Grandchildren who are given opportunities to...

Work Stress and Healthy Relationships

Posted by Brock Griffin | May 1, 2018 | Work & Family | 0 |

Stress is contagious. In this age of high expectations and long work hours, it’s easy for men and women to bring their worries and frustrations home and spread them all over their relationships. Grandparents might treat loved ones with the same approach as a boss, which can be very destructive. Or some grandparents might start resenting their close relationships, and expect to just relax on the sofa when they get home. Of course, that’s an insult anyone who cares for them. What can we do? First, recognize the value of “decompression time.” Take some time in the car-or in...

Telling Stories About Work to Grandchildren

Posted by Brock Griffin | Apr 22, 2018 | Work & Family | 0 |

Sure, your grandkids may know the titles you carry in your work life—“architect”, “homemaker”, “retired”, “teacher”, “businessperson”. But do they know what kinds of work you have done. I suppose I will never forget a time when my grandfather and I had the better part of a day together, as he drove me to a major city about 7 hours away. I must have been about 12 years old at the time. He chose that occasion to tell me about different jobs that he held, especially when he was younger. Although more than 30 years have passed since that...