My husband and I have three wonderful grandchildren, ages 7, 9, and 11. Their parents are our son, Louis, and our daughter-in-law, Christine.
Author: Dr. Karen Rancourt
Karen L. Rancourt, Ph.D., has over 50 years of varied experience. She began her career an elementary school teacher, went on to become a college professor, management consultant to Fortune 100 companies, career coach, and author of six books and a dozens of articles. Dr. Rancourt has helped thousands of parents, professionals and grandparents make important relationship decisions.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: An Interview with Debbie Pincus
Dr. Gramma Karen: Debbie, thank you for agreeing to do this interview. I am pleased that my readers and I have this opportunity to learn about your experiences as a family and couples therapist.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Grandmother Taken to Task For Sharing Personal Experiences
My daughter Rose, who is not speaking to me at the moment, texted me that I should read your column “Should Grandparents Share Their Views on Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol?” Here is why she isn’t speaking to me.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Reader Seeks Clarification on Honesty
I found your column about the three sisters and your comments about honesty very interesting. To think about honesty being, in your words, nuanced makes me both uncomfortable and intrigued. I have always tended to be very black or white about honesty: you’re either telling the truth, or you’re not.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: A Case For Neutrality In An Inter-Family Feud
I could use your advice. I am the middle one of three sisters. My older sister Carol is married and does not have any children. My younger sister Maureen is married and has three kids, ages 15, 13, and 12. I am married and have twin 14-year-old girls.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen About Mother’s Day: Do You Know . . .
Mother’s Day, created by Anna Jarvis, was first celebrated at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908. Its purpose was to recognize mothers, motherhood, and maternal bonds in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to society.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Plan Win-Win Visits With the Grandchildren
With the coming of summer, it’s not too soon for grandparents to extend invitations and to plan for visits with the grandchildren. As the real-life examples below illustrate, some creativity and flexibility in the arrangements may make for visits that are more relaxing and fun for everyone.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: How Grandparents Can Help Their College-Bound Grandchildren
This is not an article about the college admissions scandal. You’re welcome. Rather, this is about how grandparents can help their college-bound grandchildren. When this topic of helping is raised, providing financial help with tuition often first comes to mind. There are many resources available for grandparents with this intent. For example, in addition to consulting with their own financial planners, there are innumerable online resources for grandparents who want to help with tuition, e.g., (1) (2) (3).