Aug 29, 2024
By now, in the month of September, most of you are getting the hang of your back-to-school routines of carpools, practice schedules, and homework. Another tradition this month that sometimes gets overlooked with all the hectic mornings and earlier bedtimes is Grandparents’ Day, held this year on Sunday, September 8. If you have grandparents that can help you with all the pick-ups and drop-offs, you are lucky. Grandparents are the cherry on top of the sundae of life.
My children have never lived near their grandparents, so they only see them a few times a year. As my father has advanced in age, he has spent more time at our house, which has been such a blessing for us and my children. Also, throughout the years we’ve lived in Bakersfield, my older son’s best friend’s maternal and paternal grandmas adopted my kids as their own. These two ladies have really been grandma figures to them and helped fill a void. I also had “adopted” grandparents when I was growing up. Because my parents had me when they were older my grandparents sadly passed away when I was young. My best friend’s grandparents, Erma and Shorty, decided to make me one of theirs. I have so many wonderful memories of spending afternoons with them and feeding their cows.
Studies have shown that having a role model for you and your children is important to help create happier and healthier lives. In Callie Collins’ article, “Five Ways: Strategies to Help Kids Manager Their Mental Health,” she writes about this very tip as well as creating downtime and balance. To read all her tips, turn to page 18.
In this month’s Humor at Home article, “Fifty and Fabulous: Tales of an Older Mom,” on page 22, Julie Willis has a fresh perspective on turning 50. She writes how the doctor visits get a little more intense with more pills, vaccine suggestions, and weight checks. She writes she has so many pills to take now she can’t swallow them in one swig and must dole them out over multiple gulps. However, one good thing that has come with age is her ability to fall asleep at any opportunity!
No matter what your age, if you have school-age children, you will have an adjustment period getting into the back-to-school routine. In Callie Collins' article, “Readers Respond: Best Back-to-School Advice,” on page 10, KCFM readers gave their best suggestions to make the year start off better. Most tips had an overwhelming theme of getting organized and having a plan.
A special thank you to this month's Happy Mama Mari Perez-Dowling, who as the president and CEO of United Way of Central Eastern California, helps many people both personally and professionally. In the article, "Hello, Happy Purposeful Mama: Mari Pérez-Dowling’s Inspiring Journey & New Opportunities," on page 14, Callie Collins writes about this mom’s life after losing her 20-year-old son, Sebastian Martinez, in a car accident. She has found a way to help process her grief through music and helping others navigate loss as well. With her daughter, Monica, she shares her musical passion to honor her son and feel closer to him, as he was very musical too as the leader of drumline for Centennial High School.
Life is fragile and can change in an instance, so when September 8 rolls around make sure to thank your grandparents, your kids’ grandparents, and any grandparent figures you have. These wiser, older mentors in can really make a difference in your overall well-being. As the anonymous saying reads, “Grandparents are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re there.”
Hope you are all having fun being back to school and enjoying the schedules!
