GRAND Magazine - November/December 2008 - (Page 19) Brain Builders GRANDparenting: How You Can Build Your Grandchild’s Hidden Intelligences, by Linda K. Burggraf and John F. Birk (http://www. nobleknightbooks. com) is filled with commonsense ideas, hundreds of details (we love specifics!) on activities and simple projects, and a strong sense of character-building reassurances for grandparents who provide frequent or full-time care for their grandchildren. • Model hope for your grandchild. Never explode over minor issues. Hope comes not through the overcoming of one major crisis but through small, daily victories. Assuring your grandchild that he can overcome the lesser obstacles of each day prepares him for coping with bigger problems. • De-emphasize material items. There will always be someone who has more than she, so don’t try to compete. • Acknowledge his or her desire to talk about sex. Be proactive. If, by age 8-12, they’re not asking questions, they’re probably getting a bulk of misinformation from their pals. S PUZZLE SMART SENIOR h the maze. way throug Find the Crisp piCks: Editor’s ChoiCE Best hospital-visitation present ever: RxPJs (www. rxpjs.com). A mid-calflength, dark blue caftan with deep front pockets zips at the shoulder (and so can fit over IVs, casts, bandages and bumps); lightweight but warm; slight V-neckline. Looking good is half the healing. (PS: you don’t have to wait for someone to be sick! The shoulder zipper makes breastfeeding in a hospital bed a snap or, uh, a zip.) Café Press (www. www.seni Copyright convalescent homes and has observed what research has proven true: Doing puzzles and solving mysteries are critical brain exercises that not only keep minds sharp but also improve self-esteem. Only problem: all the “find the hidden objects” and “follow the maze” books were designed for children; mental challenges that involve only clowns and balloons get old faster than we do. Her solution: Senior Smart Puzzles, Book 1 and Book 2 ($10.99 at www. seniorsmartpuzzles.com)—perfect for folks who remember Bess Truman, Richfield Gas and the Brown Bomber. orsmartpu zzles.com ©2007 by ean. Used Lindy McCl by permission . Lindy McClean has worked with the elderly in community centers and cafepress.com) has a huge, diverse selection of T-shirts, sweatshirts and spaghetti tanks for grandmothers (Soccer Grandma; If you think I’m cute, you should see my grandkids!; Foxy Grandma; Red Hot Grandma; Don’t I look too young to be a grandmother?)… and a cool infant/toddler bodysuit ($13.99) that says: My grandparents don’t spoil me/they’re just very accommodating. Uh, huh. Mallory, MD Will, TN Emilie, NM Mason, NH NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2008 GRAND 19 http://www.babylovesdisco.com http://www.nobleknightbooks.com http://www.nobleknightbooks.com http://www.rxpjs.com http://www.rxpjs.com http://www.cafepress.com http://www.cafepress.com http://www.babylovesdisco.com http://www.seniorsmartpuzzles.com http://www.seniorsmartpuzzles.com
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