Grandparenting Group at Congregation Kol Ami

Attention first-time grandparents:  If you're adjusting to new realities and redefined relationships here's a workshop to help you transition smoothly into your new role. Sometimes the child's parents consult you, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they want your opinion, sometimes not. How do you become—and stay--connected, involved, and fully participating grandparents?

A group of new and experienced grandparents at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains meets monthly to discuss the challenges and opportunities of grandparenting.

Grandparents learn communication strategies from each other and feel comforted to learn that problems they face are shared by others. Participants remind each other of how much impact they have on the lives of their grandchildren and how important their grandparenting can be. Grandparents in the group will grow to trust each other and share their feelings. "We know how lucky we are to be grandparents," says one previous group member, "and it's good to be reminded that the small problems we encounter do not overshadow the joy and exhilaration of grandparenting."

The new group will meet the first Monday of each month, from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. Group leader Susan Davis, LCSW, a social work psychotherapist, grandmother, and long time member of Congregation Kol Ami, has been running parenting groups for over 30 years. This program is free, and open to the community.

The grandparenting group is one of the many community groups at Kol Ami. Information about this and other programs or about Kol Ami is available at www.kolami.org or by calling the Ilene Miller, Program Manager at Kol Ami 914-949-4717, extension 111. For further information or with questions, contact Susan Davis at 914-683-3928 or email her at susanhopedavis@hotmail.com.