INTERGENERATION MONTH

Intergeneration Month is an annual designation observed in September.

Setting aside time for family in today’s world is challenging,  but spending time with family both young and old sets a positive message as children, grandchildren and so on see the examples of family.  As they age into adulthood they will use that foundation. 

They will draw on the experiences they had and build more in the generations to come.  Communication passed down through generations tells of our past and prepares us for the future.  In our family love is given unconditionally and I’m so glad it was.  Many of my peers were not as lucky. I wouldn’t change places with anyone. Not for all the riches in the world.

HISTORY

In 1987, Fountain Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a Board of Trustees, was formed by Sandy Kraemer, a Colorado Springs attorney, to research intergenerational issues. The resulting research identified the need to set aside a time each year to focus on intentionally connecting generations to better communicate age-related gratitude and needs.

To fulfill this need, in the year 2000, Fountain Institute changed its name to “Intergeneration Foundation” and launched “Intergeneration Day” worldwide, the first Sunday in October (later designated September). The research proved overwhelmingly correct, as 42 state governors proclaimed Intergeneration Day, plus scores of organizations joined in including American Library Association, American Association of Museums, American Council of Life Insurers, National Easter Seals, Centura Health, Microsoft Corporation, Stanford University Center on Longevity, plus uncountable community organizations and families.

While support for Intergeneration Day has verified the need to annually set aside time to intentionally connect all ages, further research showed organizations and families were not planning or staging “IG Events”. Two primary reasons were identified: (1) a single Day was too short to stage events; and (2) the Day competed with other established times, such as Grandparents’ Day – the first Sunday after Labor Day.

The need to annually set aside a time to intentionally connect generations is clear. In 2012, Intergeneration Foundation experimented with expanding Intergeneration Day to Intergeneration Month to increase the time for planning and staging “IG Events.” The response has been compellingly positive. After considering other months, research shows September to be the preferred month.

Intergeneration Day, started in the year 2000, is merging into Intergeneration Month: September. Intergeneration Month will be promoted in the United States, and worldwide as a time to intentionally connect generations and stage intergenerational events. Grandparents’ Day will be a kick-off “IG Event” for Intergeneration Month in the United States and Canada. Please participate to make the strengths of each generation meet the needs of all generations.

http://intergenerationmonth.org/contact.html

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CELEBRATE

Use #IntergenerationMonth to post on social media.

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

May is set aside as National Foster Care Month honoring the foster parents, families, and those who support children throughout their journey to find a permanent home.

A child’s welfare takes priority every day in the lives of caseworkers, guardians, counselors, advocates, and foster parents. Building meaningful relationships and foundations take time. Every year, National Foster Care Month recognizes the dedicated people who promote compassionate, stable homes for children.

These parents and professionals focus not only on the emotional and physical needs of the children but on their long-term educational goals and overall health. Each step along the way, they are aware of the obstacles each child may have already had to overcome in life. Everyone deserves to be surrounded by the love and support of a family and foster care specialists seek to find the safest environment for every child.

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH HISTORY

National Foster Care Month is proclaimed annually by the President of the United States.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFosterCareMonth

Support those who provide care and if you are able, consider being a foster parent. The need is increasing. Use #FosterCareMonth to share on social media.

Visit www.childwelfare.gov to learn more.

NATIONAL SONS DAY

Every year on March 4th, National Sons Day honors the sons of the world and those who raise them. The day also takes a look at a son’s role and his relationship with those around him.

Around the world, slightly more sons are born than daughters. Both bring joy to families, though. Our rambunctious sons grow into adult men and forge their own independence in the world. Some are soft-spoken and gentle. Others with a spark of curiosity fill every hour with questions, some unanswerable.

Parents and family members strive to mold them into a person better than we are. Sons, like many children, test the boundaries until one day, they stand before us, grown. National Sons Day encourages parents to be role models and provide the boundaries sons need. Celebrate their successes while guiding them through their failures. Give them a foundation of skills that they will rely on for a lifetime and pass on to their sons.

Each day as a son and the parent of one is a treasure. Boys need us to model responsibility, hard work, and integrity. As they work and learn beside us, those qualities will be instilled in them. The day reminds us of the value our sons bring to our lives and others.

NATIONAL SONS DAY HISTORY

In 2018, Jill Nico created National Sons Day celebrating the importance and significance of sons and those who raise them. While there’s no single reason for selecting March 4th, the founder explains spring seemed ideal, and the date resounds with momentum when spoken. Additionally, many sons enjoy spring sports, and it’s an excellent time to spend time outdoors. Visit the Facebook page to join in the celebration.

In the late 1990s, an effort to create National Sons Day began as a counterpart to National Take Your Daughters to Work Day. By 1998, the group called National Sons Day created National Take Your Sons to Work Day. In later years, the separate observances joined forces.

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SONS DAY

Consider all the things you want your son to know and be when he’s an adult.

Take the day to teach your son something you think is important for him to know. Change a tire or balance the checkbook. The small tasks, the mundane ones are the ones that get in the way when we don’t know how to do them. Bond over the experience by letting him know you teach him these skills to clear a path for the bigger events in his life.

Join an organization for mentoring boys without male role models.  Find a role model that fits the interests of your son.  Teach your son something your father taught you.  Offer to give a skills class at a school.  Make the day unique by taking a photograph with all the sons together and share on social media using #NationalSonsDay.

FAMILY STORIES MONTH

Family Stories Month rolls around in November just in time for the holidays. When families gather it’s an excellent time to share stories and learn about family history. Throughout the month Family History Month encourages you to record or listen to stories from relatives of all ages.

Start thinking of the questions to ask family members. While you’re jotting down those, be ready for some memories of your own to get stirred up. There are numerous anecdotes of adventure, travel, and romance in our family’s past. Whether we spin a humorous tale or an epic history of a whole branch of the family, record the information in a format that can be shared with future generations.

Prepare for Sharing and Preserving Family Stories
  • Prepare a list of questions, or memory prompts to share with family members during family gatherings.
  • Before family members arrive, email a list of questions for them to review. It will give them a chance to come up with memories to share.
  • Ask family to write their memories in story form to share. Offer to compile them in a book form for family members as the family memoir.
  • During the gathering, individuals can share their memories. Don’t be surprised if someone remembers events differently!

Enjoy the time with family and making more stories to share during Family Stories Month!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #FamilyStoriesMonth

Share your stories and find ways to preserve them for future generations. Enjoy the retelling of them over and over. Use #FamilyStoriesMonth to post on social media.