Granny Grandma Cynthia

Hi. This is me, Cynthia Calloway. I played a leading role in the Oklahoma Centennial Play. I lost the hat, though. If you can find it please send it to me, because we have not been able to replace it.

Oklahoma became a state in l907. The Black citizens had hoped that it would be a Black state or at least a free state. But the first law on the books was for segregation. My character, Mary Lou, worked to help Black citizens of the territory who had already had established over 60 towns, be encouraged and continue to buy up as much land as possible so that they would still be counted. It was a great play, by Sharon Fisher, and I learned a lot. If you ever get an opportunity, see it at the Oklahoma Historical Museum.

Here I am, Cynthia in the middle, with husband, Roosevelt, left, daughter Cheryl behind and grandchildren, C.J. to the right, Aleah and Zion, baby. Three of my nine grandchildren, and one great grand. I have learned a lot. I continue to learn everyday from them. This blog shares "lessons learned". I invite your comments and other lessons you want to share.

You can't go by your life...

Hi Grandparents

This is a simple lesson but: We cannot use our life experiences as the reference point for our children, grandchildren and grandchildren's life. Each generation has it's own experience and lessons that are not often repeated in the next generation.



In other words... "You can't go by your life to speak to your grandchildren about what is occuring in their generation!"



This is absolutely true for baby-boomers. For example, we were conceived after the eras of World Wars with Germany, France, England, and Japan, to name a few. Now in 2007, all these citizens are our grandchildren's peers, products, gamers, chatroom/IM bf's (best friends) and idols. Baby-boomers grew up during a time when stability and security was everything. Our children expect that life will change daily; so get it, do it, and chunk it, fast, because tomorrow there is something new to get, do and chunk. I am not sure that the children, themselves, don't feel this way about their lives...



This lesson is a difficult lesson for me to get in my head and heart. Are there any suggestions for how others are adjusting to this fact? Let's talk.

Cynthia

Grandparenting, as an African American

Hi Readers

My name is Cynthia, I am African American, a baby-boomer, and a grandparent of nine (9) grandchildren and one (1) great grandchild. I have a Masters Degree in Education: Guidance and Counseling.

It has been interesting, entertaining, educational, and painful to participate, with my children, in child rearing another generation of children. I would like to share with you the many things I have encountered and learned. I want you to join with me in sharing stories, photos, insights, wisdom, pain, successes and rewards. By sharing our stories, I hope to make it easier--or at least more knowledgeable--for other grandparents of African American descent, or who may be raising children of African American descent.

I will cover experiences from child birthing to college and marriage, from financial supporting to spiritual supporting, from disciplining to "letting go", to name a few. I will include helpful resources that I have found as well as identify negative influences that hurt. Please know that I am sharing my own experiences and do not claim to be the "expert" or the final word.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by...

Cynthia Laws Calloway