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Grandparents Day September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022, is National Grandparents Day this year.
Grandparents’ Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year in the United States.
I love that it was not invented to get consumers out into the stores or online to make purchases.
It all began at the grassroots level by West Virginian Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade.
She and her husband, Joseph L. McQuade had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Mrs. McQuade wasn’t looking for cards, flowers, and gifts. She hoped Grandparents Day would become known as a family day.
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day each year as National Grandparents Day.
September was chosen to signify the “autumn” years of life.
Part of President Jimmy Carter's Grandparents Day Proclamation
Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us. Whether they are our own or surrogate grandparents who fill some of the gaps in our mobile society, our senior generation also provides our society a link to our national heritage and traditions.
We all know grandparents whose values transcend passing fads and pressures, and who possess the wisdom of distilled pain and joy. Because they are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations.
Three Purposes of National Grandparents Day
To honor grandparents.
To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children.
To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
Ways to Celebrate National Grandparents Day
- If you are a homeschooling family, invite the grandparents over to see your school. Let the kids read to them, show them their books and online programs, and help them understand what you are doing in your homeschool.
- Have a family meal!
- Create an ice cream sundae bar and have everyone over for a Make Your Own Sundae Night.
- Movie Night (or day)
- Have each child write and mail a handwritten letter to their grandparents.
- Have a grandchild ask a grandparent to teach them something. Maybe how to crochet, or perhaps how to bake cookies, etc.
- Have kids write out questions, then interview the grandparents. Video it!
- Sing together.
- Bake together.
- Read together.
- Go for a walk even if it is just around the yard.
- Clean up the yard for Grandma and Grandpa.
- Wash their car!
- Play cards together.
- Break out some board games.
- Tell stories.
- Just listen to the older generation talk. Really listen.
- Put away your phones and devices for the day. Boy, won’t that one surprise them!
- Take funny pictures together.
- Mow their grass!
Grandparents’ Day September 11, 2022
Of course, you can always give you grandparents actual gifts on National Grandparents Day, but speaking as a grandmother myself, we want your presence a lot more than we ever want your presents.
Are you celebrating National Grandparents Day this year?
Leave a comment and let me know how you plan on honoring your grandparents this year.
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