These days some grandparents live separately in independent houses. When children visit their grandparents, they find it difficult to keep a conversation flowing? After the initial “Namaste" or “Hello" or “How are your studies going on?" There an awkward pause that seems interminable because children dont know what to say...Grandparents also find it difficult to have an interactive conversation... They feel they are out of the loop, they are from different era and do not know what is going on in world today, so they become quiet and reserved...

Question is What to talk to your grandparents? How to make better relationships with your grandparents?

When you were young, your grandparents were potentially your favorite people to spend time with, for they invariably lavished gifts and praise without asking for anything in return. Interacting with grandparents as a teenager or young adult, however, is a whole different ball-game. Suddenly you are faced with having to carry on a conversation.

Grandparents are often looking for a subject to talk to you about. You should start your conversation with grandparents by telling them what you did today. Asking about your day is hopefully a way of opening a conversation. You can tell them about how your day went at school, your favourite subject, differences in school now and when you were younger, career goals. You can ask them about how they are doing, about past?

Why not write a book on ancestors with them? Or make a family tree? Write down name and birthdays of all relatives and places where they live?

You may ask grandparents about places they have visited, differences in cultures, favourite and popular songs of their time, books they have read, if you like cooking you may also note down your favorite recipes. You may ask them where they would suggest traveling to? What places did they like best? Who is their favorite author? Why? What did they do at your age? Life experiences?

If you are genuinely interested in talking to a senior, you would be surprised as to how easy it is to speak to grandparents.

Don't be stressed that they would talk only about studies and percentage/grades. Grandparents have a bigger view for life. They don't necessarily care about your percentage or grades. They just want to know how your day went by, they enjoy talking openly and honestly with their grandchildren, they love you very much... be honest and enjoy talking honestly. You dont have to pick a topic of previous era to make them happy. They just want you to be honestly interested in knowing.

You can also share your goals and aspirations. Grandparents love to see ambition and hopes in their grandchildren. Interestingly, they never get bored even if you talk only about yourself for an hour... Let them know your plans for the future.

If you are in class 9th to 12th, you can also discuss current events with your grandpa. They are uptodate with television, newspapers and have good awareness of what is happening around the world.

In fact if you are interested in some news, chances are high that your grandfather may know more about it... So, why not chat about it and get to hear his perspective?

Grandmas are so good in your past events. She would affectionately tell you how you were when you or your parents were a child. They will get great satisfaction out of hearing you relate your impressions of holidays and events you experienced together when you were very young. They delight in knowing that you remember the things they did to please and delight you. If they took you to the circus, had your birthday party at their house, or any other memorable event from the past that you can recount in detail, you will be awarded their vote for being a great conversationalist.

Grandmothers also have good knowledge and experience of Family Traditions, our “Reeti-Riwaaz" - Talk to your grandparents about your families traditions; how they began and what the meaning is behind some of them. Your grandparent may be pleased to know that you are interested in carrying on some of the customs they hold near to their hearts.

If you encounter a small pause or lapse in conversation. Do not be intimidated by a moment of silence. Do not hesitate to ask any funny or simple question, like “What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?” or “What is your favorite movie of all time?” It would just get the conversational ball rolling again. Or you may also sit quietly and wait to see what your grandparent wants to talk about.

However, be remember that a good conversation has two components: (1) Talking and (2) Listening.

Most importantly don’t forget to tell your grandparents the simple and magical statement, “I love you.”

With love,
Grandma.
----------------------------------------------------What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~A grandmother.

Reflections on being a Grandfather

Perhaps, ‘Man’ is the only animal who knows his grandchildren. A grandfather superintends the family at the same time remaining intimately united to it in love and responsibility. Grandfathers offer the little ones the perspective of time; they are the memory and heritage of families. Having a grand child is being twice blessed, for it includes one's child as well as one's child’s child...

In today’s throw-away society, where products have built-in obsolescence, most human relationships are as lasting as soap bubbles. Change for change sake seems to be self-justifying. Without a sense of continuity, however, children are vulnerable to trends and fashions. They are concerned not with what is right and what is wrong, but with what is "hot" and what is not. They can easily be captured by the reigning ideologies of the day.

This grandfather has lived long enough to know how shallow and ephemeral fads can be. Grand father’s role is to impart a higher wisdom. He is concerned about the things that nourish and endure: faith, love, beauty and one's eternal destiny. He has survived fads and his words come from a life that has not been lived from impulses of the moment. He may have silver in his hair, but he has gold in his heart. I repeat, having a grand child is being twice blessed, for it includes one's child as well as one's child’s child...

Grand-fatherhood is not only an honor, it is also a paradox. When a man begins to feel old, his grandchildren can make him feel young again. An hour with one's grandchildren can be rejuvenating; but any longer than that, it must be noted, it can be debilitating. As the sands of time flow from the upper region of the hourglass, they fill the lower half. Advancing age is redeemed by emerging life. It helps me feel that life and time are not wasted, sacrifices did not go in vain.

I am proud to be a Dada ji, a grandfather! I have evolved from a lad to a man, a husband to a father, and finally to a grandfather. At the summit of life, the view is certainly grand.