Grandparents and other older relatives play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren and vise versa. The older relatives in your life can act as role models and mentors for the younger generation. Think of them as your own personal historians instilling ethnic heritage and traditions. Plus…grandparents are built in buddies for their grandchildren.

According to Dr. Karl Pillemer of Cornell University, the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren is second in emotional importance only to the relationship between parent and child. Children benefit when grandparents are involved in their lives. But grandparents also enjoy benefits from the relationship with their grandchildren.

A recent study by Boston College found that “an emotionally close relationship between grandparent and grandchildren is associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations.”

Susan Ogar Photography is proud to partner with Bridges Together to celebrate intergenerational relationships. Bridges Together is creating and spreading intergenerational programs that bring children and adults over the age of 55 together for shared experiences and cooperative learning. In September, Intergenerational Month, Susan Ogar Photography offered Generational Portrait Sessions and donated the session fees directly to Bridges Together. Stay tuned for next fall’s charitable program. 

In the meantime, this holiday season, engage with grandparents and relatives by inquiring about their lives. You may be surprised by what you learn…

– Did you go to college? What did you study? If you didn’t go to college, do you wish you had had the opportunity? What did you do instead?

– Did you have any pets growing up?

– Did you live in a house or an apartment? What was it like? What was your room like?

– Do you know any stories about the history of the family name, or the origins of the family?

– How many brothers and sisters do you have? What are their names? What do you remember about them from growing up?

– How did you meet your spouse? How old were you when you met/got engaged/got married? – – What was the wedding like?

– What are the most difficult and most rewarding things about growing older?

– What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up?

– What did you want to be when you grew up?

– What do you remember about your parents? Your grandparents?

– What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember about you?

– What kinds of clothes, hobbies, slang terms were popular when you were a teenager?

– What life advice would you pass along to your grandchildren?

– What was your favorite thing about school? Least favorite? What were your friends like? Who was your favorite teacher, and what was your favorite subject?

– What were your children like when they were growing up?

– What were your favorite games and hobbies? Did you play any sports? What else did you do for fun?

– What was your first job? What was your favorite job?

– What’s your favorite book or movie and why? What was your favorite when you were young?

– Where and when were you born? Did your parents ever share their memories with you about the day you were born?

Who were your heroes or role models when you were young?

*20 Questions Grandparents Never Get Sick of Hearing posted by Sarah Stevenson on A Place for Mom blog.