Lillian Carson, D.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Lillian Carson, D.S.W., L.C.S.W., has a board-certified diploma in clinical social work and is an authority on child development, parenting and grandparenting. She is the author of the Parent's Choice award-winning books The Essential Grandparent: A Guide To Making A Difference and The Essential Grandparent's Guide To Divorce: Making A Difference In The Family, as well as the recipient of ForeWord Magazine's Best Self-Help Book of 1999.
Dr. Lillian Carson is a national spokesperson for America's Promise, GrandMom for McDonald's Parent Source Magazine, grandparent moderator for the United Nations Global Meeting of Generations project and a lecturer. Her numerous television appearances include the "Today" show, CNN, MSNBC and CNBC. A psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California, she has worked with adults, children and families for thirty years. Dr. Lillian Carson has also created The Essential Grandparent Reading Circle at her web site: www.essentialgrandparent.com.
1.) What is your background and how did you come to specialize in the field of grandparenting?
As a psychotherapist for thirty years I have heard many of my adult patients say "I would never have made it without my grandparents." These words resonate with the power of experience and motivate my own grandparenting and provide the catalyst for my mission to encourage grandparents and families to deepen their intergenerational ties.
2.) Since you've been working with grandparents, what is the most significant change you've noticed?
How has society's attitude towards grandparents changed? Grandparents have changed. They are younger due to health and life style changes, and older because they are living longer. Gradually, this is changing society's stereotypical view of grandparents. Grandparents are "off their rockers."
3.) What is the biggest challenge that grandparent's face these days?
Changes in the family challenge grandparents. The 50% divorce rate means that few grandparents escape the heartbreak of divorce. Also, there is more cultural and religious diversity within families and there are more long-distance grandparents.
4.) What do you like about the Grandparenting: Enriching Lives video what do you hope grandparents will take away from it?
It describes a variety of family situations in families of differing cultural backgrounds and demonstrates positive interactions and solutions. I hope that grandparents and families will be encouraged to deepen their intergenerational ties.
5.) If you could leave grandparents with an essential piece of advice, what would it be?
Support your kids in their parenting. Remember what a tough job they have. Let them learn from their own mistakes as we did. Be creative and stay involved!
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