Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do,
Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.--Alex Haley

Anyone who has ever had a relationship with their grandparents knows the unique and special place grandparents hold in family life. It has been said they're the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation. As such, grandparents are our continuing ties to the events, beliefs, and experiences that affect our lives and the world around us, as well as a link to our national heritage and traditions

Grandparents - consider passing down a special talent, hobby, or skill, for example.  Prepare and share a favorite recipe.  Show off your guitar and play a tune.  Establish your own family celebrations.  Create opportunities to enrich your family history.

Yes, grandparents are special.  And there has rarely been a grandparent that doesn't burst into prideful smiles at the mere mention of their grandkids. They proudly share stories about their grandchildren in a way that only grandparents can.  Here are some actual grandparent sentiments:

• After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.  As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. At last she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"
• My grandchild has taught me what true love means.  It means watching Scooby Doo cartoons while the basketball game is on another channel.
• When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandma," he advised. "Mine says I'm four to six."
• Grandchildren:  the only people who can get more out of you than the IRS.

In today's world, many grandparents have also assumed the unexpected role of raising their grandchild(ren), usually due to an unforeseen family circumstance.  Grandparents raising grandchildren is now seen as a major cultural phenomenon of the 21st century in the United States; in Michigan, some 143,523 children are living in grandparent-headed households.  The good news is that support is available to help these loving grandparents face whatever challenges may come their way.

Below are links intended to offer helpful resources for grandparents, from tips to sustaining a healthy connection with their grandkids to issues of raising them under their own roof.

Links to more information on grandparenting:

• U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission, A Grandparents' Guide.
• USA.gov, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
• Grandparents Magazine^TM
• Grandparents University at Michigan State University
• AARP State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
• The Kinship Training Materials, Eastern Michigan University