This series explores the demographic known as Baby Boomers and how they're impacting the world around us.
It's The Grand Life!
I don’t often get together with Sarah and that’s not entirely my fault. I call or text her with numerous options on dates and times and sometimes she answers me back. We both thought we’d have time for casual conversations over coffee or leisurely lunches at a cafe when she retired. As it turns out, while she cut back on her work hours, those free hours plus were snatched up by her daughter. Lara, with short spiked hair, yoga pants and car-seat stuffed SUV, is also the mother of three children under the age of six. She literally cheered when Sarah said she was cutting back her work hours and could help out. What started as a couple half-days a week, morphed into 2 full days and then some, but Sarah couldn’t be happier.
The other day I stopped by the jungle. Sarah and Joe’s once perfectly appointed living room has been transformed into a children’s wonderland complete with oversized dollhouse, bouncy horse, a child-sized, crumb filled table and toys strewn all over the floor. The kids were running and screaming everywhere and in the middle of the floor was Sarah, cross-legged, laughing and relishing the chaos.
I said “Hi,” dropped the homemade apple crisp and bolted.
We met a few weeks later so I could retrieve my baking dish and catch up with adult conversation over coffee. Since I last saw her, Sarah had decided to completely retire from her job of 25+ years to devote more time with the grandchildren. She looked fabulous - in fact, better than she had in years. She actually looked younger, even with less makeup on. After looking at about 20 pictures of the kids doing various crazy or cute things, Sarah leaned back and left out a contented sigh. She’s enjoying, “watching these kids grow and they’re so smart. They have ipads and know how to use them!” (Yeah, wait until they’re teenagers, they know everything - I thought.)
I’m absolutely thrilled for Sarah and Joe. And for Lara and her husband too. My husband and I were fortunate that his parents were around to help with our son when he was young. I can entirely understand the value to Lara to have her parents help and the joy that Sarah is getting from the arrangement. More than that, the grandkids are also huge beneficiaries of additional love, adventures and experiences they’ll never forget.
The other day I stopped by the jungle. Sarah and Joe’s once perfectly appointed living room has been transformed into a children’s wonderland complete with oversized dollhouse, bouncy horse, a child-sized, crumb filled table and toys strewn all over the floor. The kids were running and screaming everywhere and in the middle of the floor was Sarah, cross-legged, laughing and relishing the chaos.
I said “Hi,” dropped the homemade apple crisp and bolted.
We met a few weeks later so I could retrieve my baking dish and catch up with adult conversation over coffee. Since I last saw her, Sarah had decided to completely retire from her job of 25+ years to devote more time with the grandchildren. She looked fabulous - in fact, better than she had in years. She actually looked younger, even with less makeup on. After looking at about 20 pictures of the kids doing various crazy or cute things, Sarah leaned back and left out a contented sigh. She’s enjoying, “watching these kids grow and they’re so smart. They have ipads and know how to use them!” (Yeah, wait until they’re teenagers, they know everything - I thought.)
I’m absolutely thrilled for Sarah and Joe. And for Lara and her husband too. My husband and I were fortunate that his parents were around to help with our son when he was young. I can entirely understand the value to Lara to have her parents help and the joy that Sarah is getting from the arrangement. More than that, the grandkids are also huge beneficiaries of additional love, adventures and experiences they’ll never forget.
Grand Boomers* put family first and especially like teaching and taking care of the little ones. They want to be a part of the lives of the next generation. They enjoy helping out, family gatherings, sharing stories and passing on family traditions.
*Baby boomers are those born between 1944 and 1964. According to the “Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Council”, there are 6 major types of boomers. While no one falls entirely into one of these categories, the similarities are interesting to explore.