A Grandparent as a Spiritual Guide

The Grandparent Guide: The Definitive Guide to Coping with the Challenges of Modern Grandparenting (McGraw-Hill, 2002) is to grandparents what Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care was to generations of parents. Author Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, America's leading expert on grandparenting, illuminates spiritual guidance as one of many roles for grandparents. Kornhaber says, "Acting as a spiritual guide involves teaching your grandchild to harvest such fruits of the spirit as love, tolerance, compassion, reverence, joy, peace, gentleness, faith and kindness." And while parents also teach these values, their primary focus is on the child's immediate care, education, and social skill building. But grandparents can transcend the pressing needs of now to concentrate on soul nurturing. And by setting an example of goodness, tolerance, kindness, and understanding, you can counteract some of society's toxicity. Here are some of Kornhaber's suggestions.

• Drive the speed limit, insist on paying the correct price, return excess change, and tell the truth.
• Demonstrate reverence for nature.
• Help others who are less fortunate.
• Display kindness and compassion toward others.
• Show respect for others' beliefs.
• Involve your grandchildren in your own rituals of faith and the positive aspects of your belief — with their parents' permission, of course.

Even if you aren't religious, Kornhaber believes that by blessing your grandchild with your approval or by invoking God's blessing on the child, you give a priceless gift. Take the opportunity to nurture your grandchild's soul. It's a role that uniquely suits you.

Printed with permission from Senior Spirit™ Newsletter, a publication of The Society of Certified Senior Advisors.™ This article first appeared in the Spring 2004 issue of Center Sage, a publication of the Center on Aging & Older-Adult Ministries.

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