Grandparenting Study Guide – Reflections of Writer By Nancy Carlson, McMinnville, Oregon
The invitation to participate in development of the Crescendo Grandparenting Study came a few months
into the “full lockdown” for the Coronavirus pandemic. Having recently completed presentation of a
workshop on Grandparenting at a PNW Conference Cascades Camp Sixties + Retreat, and with my
calendar most definitely “open” for the foreseeable months ahead, it seemed “meant to be” (from a
beloved Hebrew word “besheret”) to commit to work on materials encouraging a meaningful focus on
the gift, privilege, joy and responsibility of grandparenting.
From my professional background in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, it was immediately
clear that the same valuable insights gained by educators in understanding and incorporating
developmental awareness of children, teens and young adults are equally valuable for grandparents to
consider as they relate to grandchildren. And, with a fair amount of Children’s Ministry experiences in
my life, it was also clear that understanding and embracing the incredible Power of Story – God’s Story
and Family Story – can also add a significant dynamic and deep value when investing in, nurturing, and
legacy-building with grandchildren.
It was a gift to have this project evolve in the uncertain times of the Covid outbreak. The focus,
discipline, and energy required for research and writing gave meaning and purpose when each of my
volunteering opportunities in community and church were put on “HOLD”. As the developed materials
were completed and ready to be transformed into a format useful for group study, it was also a gift in
isolating times to create that framework in a team effort of three invested colleagues reviewing,
prioritizing, and developing framework through a process of collaborating, sharing Story, laughing,
praying and forming it together.
My prayer is that participants in the Study would have the similar experience of it being the “right time”
to consider this topic…to be open to learning and better understanding valuable awareness of human
development and other important facets of human/family interaction…to embrace the Power of
Story…and to enjoy and be nourished by group study and collaboration with others on the same journey
of grandparenting!
Nancy Carlson, McMinnville, Oregon
