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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A week with grandchildren













Our grandchild J, the one with black hair, and her friend N, the blond one, are two eight-graders who spent time with us this week. Their visit was a reality check for me and my husband.They had so much energy and so many ideas and opinions that we got a real shot in the arm, an update on today's tastes and hot topics.
Here's what we learned:
1. school life weighs heavily on teens; their major concern is to do well and to be liked by their teachers.
2. life is a game; the girls tested each other on the beach, in the car, on the race-track, on the golf course, at the theater, at the zoo. They tested their knowledge, their skills, their opinions.
3. teens are in their own world all the time, until something catches their attention. Most of the time, they express themselves quite openly, yet, aware that adults may be offended by their remarks.
4. they are worried about the future, about cost of commodities, about making good choices in life.
5. they are versatile, polite, adaptable and grateful.
In many ways, teens and seniors are alike:
1. We supported Jeanine as the ultimate winner in the show, "So You Think You Can Dance".
2. Italian food, hamburgers, pizza, salads and ice cream are our favorites.
3. We like private moments.
4. We enjoy preparing food. Correction: they like to make ice-cream and pudding.
5. We love beaches-running , jumping, combing, and photographing.



64 comments:

Feisty Crone said...

Looks like a grand time you are all having! And I agree with your food choices--all of 'em.

Michel said...

Will you be my grandma please? Mine made me rhubarb. I'm starting to suspect I was robbed.

potsoc said...

Rosaria you confirm my certainty that our adolescents, 97% of them, are beautiful and represent a sound investment in our countries future.

Dave King said...

Lovely photographs=grand memories of a grand weekend. Treasure them!

Maggie May said...

That was a great post. Loved the pictures because I just love seascapes.
I have a feeling that American teenagers are more polite than British ones. Maybe I have met the right ones!

trousers said...

Fantastic photos - and interesting points you make too. The similarities and differences make me think of the well-worn phrase, plus ca change, plus la meme chose - in a reassuring rather than a cynical way though :)

Brian Miller said...

wonderful post..loved the pics and your thoughts...over the years the things on our minds chnage slightly with the context of our age...

An English Shepherd said...

Great pictures.

'The more we think we are different the more we are the same', not sure who said that!

Wizz :-)

Nancy said...

Sounds like the week was a winner all the way around. I love when adolescents and seniors come together. There is something to be gained by both, I think.

I, on the other hand, have been running after a twenty-month-old that is dangerously close to the "terrible two's." Very independent, voices his likes/dislikes readily, and is incredibly charming and adorable.

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I am jealous of those memories you made. It looks perfect and the post was so cute too. I loved your comment on my blog, so well put. Thanks

Mervat said...

I am repeatedly reassured by (some) of the opinions of our teen youth. This is such a step up from when I was at school and the general mood at the time was despondency and a general dislike of teachers by students and, I distinctly remember several teachers returning that sentiment openly. Hence the despondency, I suppose.

The photos are lovely and portray a lovely outing and special memories. Fabulous post!

Helen said...

I am continually encouraged by watching my grandchildren mature ~ not that they are perfect ... but the world they are growing up in can be difficult and confusing - more so than the world I grew up in.

So as the spectacular grandmothers I know we are, let's continue supporting and cheering them on!

NitWit1 said...

I've had no children, but I've coached Odyssey of the Mind in our local schools. I find children, including teenagers basically good, decent with a desire to please. It is so unfortunate the actions of a very few, are heaped in the innocent majority heavily and unfairly.

ellen abbott said...

Grandkids are the best, aren't they? Teens are so interesting and will be open with you if you don't judge them.

Carol Murdock said...

Thanks Rosaria for restoring my faith in the future! HA! These kids are something else now days! So tech savy it's scary! :)

Jennifer said...

GREAT pictures. I love that you listened to them, were open to their ideas, and saw a more in them that was presented on the surface. I think a lot of people shut out teeagers because they don't understand them.

♥ Braja said...

Family week, isn't it....

Renee said...

I think she is your twin.

I need more time with my grandchildren too.

I will, it is just crazy right now.

Love Renee xoxo

Kimbra Kasch said...

I'm looking forward to these days of grandkids and beach walks.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Brava la mia Maestra! Your granddaughter is stunnning. I'm so happy you and hubby had this time together with her.
And where is that awesome beach??? Bellissima.

I agree with food choices, school choices and definitely So You Think You Can Dance performer choices. Janine rules.

Abbracci,
Lola

karen said...

Hi Rosaria, great to see you back! I don't know what is happening with my commenting today, but blogger seems to be acting very strangely! Just wanted to say how nice it is to see somebody enjoying the teens. I have to say I am very seldom disappointed in them, and think they get bad press in general! Great photos, too :)

Anonymous said...

Teens do get a bad press, don't they? Sadly it seems that only bad things make news.
So happy that you had a lovely-packed full of things to do-visit.

And a POTD mention...cheers!

Jim said...

Great beach. Where is that?

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had a very active week! Love the beach photos too. :)

Unknown said...

Since my grandkids are 11 and 7, I haven't as yet gotten into nor been around many of today's teens, so thanks very much for enlightening me that it's all not a lost cause! And I mean that.

Congrats on POTD Contender, Rosaria; so well deserved for this post.

Shadow said...

teens worry about much more than we give them credit for...

ds said...

Hi! As the mother of an 18 year-old, I can definitely attest to the challenge--and the fun (though I think grandparents get the better deal there)--and the worries these kids experience. Much more than when I was growing up. But it looks as though everyone had a grand week!

Congratulations on your POTD mention!

Margo said...

so perceptive. Your grandchildren are extremely blessed. Have room for a couple of more fascinating teenage girls? Almost daily, I cry just thinking about them and what growing up is like these days :)

Lew said...

You have a great attitude towards them and that leads to a great relationship. Great post! Our grandsons (17 and 14) just returned home after a 4 week visit. I think they enjoyed most our trips to a lake nearby.

Unknown said...

congrats on the POTD!
Grandbabies are the best, mine are still young, but bring so much joy!
~AM

Amy said...

What a lovely grandaughter and an equally lovely post. I find it such a wonderful thing when grandparents seem genuinely interested and involved with their granchildren. I know for a fact that grandchildren carry memories of their grandparents with them forever and it's so great that you're giving yours such good memories.

Oh...and add this to your list. Teenagers and older folks both love In & Out Burgers! They're good and they're cheap and both the young and old appreciate those qualities!

janis said...

Oh Rosaria!
You reminded me of my summers with my Grandma Kitty! I think that it is so important for teens & seniors to get together. They must be patient with each other and they both will be Blessed with knowledge and love. Your Granddaughter & friend are surely Blessed to have you in thier lives. My girlfriends loved my Grandma & I happily shared her with all. She took such an interest in them and they loved her respect.
What a lovely posting, thank you for sharing!

Willow said...

Lovely week, lovely grandchildren! I am looking forward to those weeks with my grandson!

Reya Mellicker said...

What beautiful pictures. Those Oregon beaches are incredible.

As for teenagers, do you remember what it was like to have all those hormones coursing through your body all the time? Scary! I'm impressed that they can speak in complete sentences!

LAC said...

Ah, my days in teenagedom weren't quite so remarkable. I remember hating my parents and hating school. Didn't leave much room for anything else in between.

Great pictures!

Natalie said...

Rosaria, I want you to know that when I was a teen, I spent lots of time with my grandparents.Those memories are still the most precious ones to me.....even more than first boyfriend. :D

Renee said...

You look pretty beautiful in this picture too.

xoxox

Woman in a Window said...

I like what you did here, drawing generations together. Is that really what grade eight looks like? Yikes! Mine's in grade four this year!

Are you telling me So You Think You Can Dance is already over? Where have I been?

Your time together sounds wonderful and enlightening.

Anonymous said...

A trip to the beach sounds nice!

xxx said...

just beautiful.... :)

you sound like a wonderful Grandmother :)

best wishes
Ribbon x

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Can I come stay with you? I think we could have much fun. Such understanding you have of your grandchildren. So important in their world - to see them as they are. Enjoyed the pictures also.

Sarah Lulu said...

I've decided being a grandmother is my favourite job in the world.

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

I share in your delight, having a 15 year old grand daughter and a 12 year old grand son. This past weekend here at "Grandma's," a most enjoyable sleep over.

Cynthia Pittmann said...

I am so happy that you enjoyed your time with the teens. Imagine how many adolescence don't have that important contact with a grandparent (or a kind of grandparent). My students share with me two strong ideas: that they feel criticized by adults...judged and unable to express freely and that the most important relationship they have is with a grandparent. Many Puerto Rican students value their grandparents as a parent...and they also may at times share the home or live with their grandparent when they go to college.

I respect the tradition of including an extended family in the core...I wish we all had that kind of support. By connected with your grand-daughter and her friend, you are giving and receiving in the true tradition of love. <3

Rosaria Williams said...

Hi folks,
Thanks for stopping by. Our girls left for home last night.
I will be back regularly to post and read blogs.

For those of you who asked what beaches are pictured here, all of them are from Crescent City California to Gold Beach, Oregon.
My favorite spot is at Meyers' Creek, just south of Gold Beach, featuring tremendous rock formations called "stacks".

Thanks to David's authorblog, many visitors have stopped by. Thank you for dropping in. I hope we meet again.

We are tired and over-stimulated. Our house will get back to our routine soon enough. For now, I'm still enjoying the adrenaline shot from the youth league.

Sandi McBride said...

I just spent a week with my two grandgirls...I spent the next week napping...
Sandi
ps
congrats on Post of the Day mention!

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

"I'm still enjoying the adrenaline shot from the youth league."

And they, the love and wisdom of a most spirited Grandmother! Blessings to all... love ever known...

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

What an incredible playground you have! Gorgeous.

I have several teenage visitors last week and had so much fun discussing movies, design, books...they were delightful!

Reasons said...

Enjoyed the post very much. Glad you found so much in common!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh wonderful post and sooo very true - especially the pudding part- LOL!!
So nice to meet you..thank you for popping by my blog!!!
Sarah

Lyn said...

It warms my heart when I see the cross generational bonding that had with my Gram. She taught me to play cards (gamble), foxtrot, read before bed, argued politics with me and shared hilarious stories about her youth that let me know her as a girl (like I was). I too came to the conclusion then - that we weren't so very different!

Love your blog.

Snowbrush said...

The way you talk about teenagers, one might think they were almost human!

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Thanks for stopping by and that white bedroom that you like is not mine, but one I did for a client. She told me she liked white and girlie and I did that for her in one day. I love that you like it. I like it too. I may use the same bedding for my guest room, it was a great price for the look. I like white and girlie too...

vicki archer said...

What a gorgeous time you must have had with them...Have a wonderful weekend, xv.

potsoc said...

Snowbrush, of course our adolescents are humans.

Rosaria Williams said...

post-script:

We have come to view teens and young adults with a certain impatience. We see much disruptive behavior among them. They think we lie and misappropriate rules to fit our wants.

Different stages of life are characterized by unique features.

Young people are trying very hard to make the right decisions with the skills they have at the moment.

They do not know what they like or dislike; they are finding that out. They try different outfits as though these are costumes in different plays. Some people are bolder, trying parts that might shock. That bold attitude is really a compliment to their parents for being tolerant.

When I was teaching in high school, the lenght of the uniforms was a constant consternation for teachers. After school let out, most girls rolled up the waist of their skirts, opened up their blazers to show colletage, and donned lipstick and eye-liners.

I was a young teacher and I too wanted to wear more make-up and modern clothes. I understood this need of theirs to look 'vamp'.

The way I figured-and yes, I too had attended schools with similar dress codes-if God didn't want us to be vamp, why did she gave us budding bosoms, and a desire to be with boys that was more overwhelming than the desire to pray? God had a plan for us to try out different parts before we settled on a permanent one.

Our children and grandchildren are just going through their natural experimental stage. They will land on what is appropriate for them.

Adults can't help it when they give out opinions about things. If we care for our youth, we will tell them when they go over boundaries. If we care about them, we will be patient and will continually guide them, using all means of persuasion.

Let's enjoy their exuberance and spirit of discovery. They will be making tough decisions in their lives; having understanding adults around them will give them the scaffolding to stand up tall and reach for the unreachable.

I anticipate my present and future grandchildren to find solutions and cures for cancer, for mental illness, for treatments and institutions, for programs that support human achievement and understanding.

Thank you all for visiting and leaving your thoughts to spur our discussion.

Faravid said...

Hear! Hear! Rosaria.

Faravid said...

How did my comment:"Hear! Hear Rosaria", end up being signed Alexis? That is my Grandson's surname, he is 14 and quite handy on a computer, could he have fooled around with mine after I showed him my blog?
The Alexis on your blog does not allow access to his profile so I could not check.
Mind you IF it was my Alexis he certainly agreed with you all the way, like his granpa.

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

"God had a plan for us to try out different parts before we settled on a permanent one."

BRAVO dear Rosaria - yours is the voice of wisdom and so needed to be heard - pleased I am, with all the listening ears you have gathered!

With blessings and love,

Rose Marie

Lori Lynn said...

Great recap on kids this age.
You have a neat perspective.
I look forward to seeing their accomplishments.
LL

SG said...

Fabulous pictures..!

potsoc said...

I have regained control of my comments. My grandson had used my Google commexion to check his Gmail and had forgotten to disconnect his account afterward.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Great to visit the grandchildren and the beach. I shall have to wait a long time probably befor grandchildren appear - looking forward to it ~ Eddie

Kikit said...

We love beaches-running , jumping, combing, and photographing.

That's funny. :) It's good to know you had fun with your grandchildren in a splendid place. :)