Dear Grandparenting: I’ve seen some grandparents ask their grandkids 10,000 questions to get them to open up. Not me. My favorite trick for getting inside my grandchildren’s heads and learning what they’re thinking is to treat them to a movie of their choice. Afterwards we’ll sit and talk about it over lunch.

I just took my granddaughter Madison, 13, to see “Juno.” It’s a comedy about a pregnant teen who decides to keep her baby, give it up for adoption, and then get on with her life. Naturally, I hope Madison never finds herself in this situation. And normally, Madison would not want to hear me moralize about what’s right and wrong. But we talked back and forth about pre-marital sex, abortion and adoption, and I was able to get in my two cents worth. I think your readers might be interested to learn how this grandmother bridges the communication gap! — Roberta M., Casa Grande, Ariz.



Dear Roberta: Teaching moments are where you find them, and many educators use light-hearted popular culture as a jumping off point for in-depth exploration of weighty topics. Back in our day, coming-of-age movies like “The Graduate” and “Easy Rider” aroused our interest in the real meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We’ve heard the good buzz about “Juno,” and intend to check it out for ourselves.

Grand Remark

“Grandmom Marlene” from Piqua, Ohio reports she heard this recent exchange between her grandsons, Travis, age 5, and Noah, 8, who are first cousins.

Travis informed Noah that although his birthday was actually on Friday, his family would celebrate on Sunday by going out to eat pizza.

Noah, who had been studying Presidential birthdays in school, said, “Oh! Sunday! That’s Lincoln’s birthday too!”

“OK,” said Travis, “so whose birthday party are you going to, mine or Lincoln’s?”

(Dee and Tom, married more than 50 years, have eight grandchildren.)