Master of the Home Entertainment System

When it comes to housekeeping, my wife Sue and I play distinct roles. I do the cleaning, laundry, shopping, and cooking. Sue thanks me. Considering Sue has a full-time job, I have no problem with this arrangement. In all immodesty, I can claim to be a … Continue reading

Host a Clothing Swap: Gen2Gen Style

When my mother started her now-famous clothing swap about 11 years ago, we weren’t thinking, “Let’s bring the generations together.” We were thinking, “Let’s figure out how to indulge our constant itch for fresh styles without spending any money, and h… Continue reading

Video Chats With Family and Friends Offer Mental Health Boost

Anne Whitley lives 800 miles from her grandchildren’s home in Florida, but she still sees them daily. On her iPhone’s FaceTime app, Whitley catches up with her five-year old granddaughter, Cairo, who might show off a new toy, and her year-old grandson,… Continue reading

OPINION: Why Some Grandparents Raising Grandkids Can’t Get Government Help

Christine has been raising her grandson, who’s now 5, for the last three years, since Child Protective Services (CPS) removed him from his mother’s care for child neglect. She lets out an exhausted sigh as she relays the struggles of feeding her grands… Continue reading

In the Blink of an Eye, Childhood Is Over

Shivering under a blanket, knowing the only bathroom nearby was a Porta Potty, armed with extra tissues and plenty of hand sanitizer, I cheered when my daughter’s team made a goal and groaned when they didn’t. I prayed to the soccer gods that my child … Continue reading

How to Be an LGBTQ Ally

(Editor’s note: Covering LGBTQ issues is an ongoing Next Avenue priority, and this June, during Pride Month, we are publishing a special LGBTQ-focused series, starting with this story.)  Chances are, there’s at least one person in your life who identif… Continue reading

A Daunting Task: Cleaning Out a Late Loved One’s Home

After a parent or another loved one dies, one of the hardest tasks is cleaning out their home. Whether or not it’s the home you grew up in, the house or apartment will likely hold some memories and going through the contents can be emotionally draining… Continue reading

Coming of Age With an Older Mom

“Paula, how old is your mother?” my friend Kathy asked, causing snickers among the other third-graders. “She’s, um, (never pause in the middle of a lie), she’s 39,” I said. “She is not!” Kathy howled, and the group erupted in laughter. I’m a late-in-li… Continue reading

Danger Ahead: Privacy Concerns With High-Tech Caregiving Devices

One of the most exciting sectors in the elder care market is the technology industry moving into the caregiving business. High-tech devices and support services are being built around smartphones, voice-activated devices, artificial intelligence (AI) a… Continue reading

Creating Community Connections During Ramadan

(Editor’s Note: With Ramadan beginning on April 23, 2020, we wanted to share this story about community iftars that was originally published on Next Avenue in May, 2019. Given the restrictions on physical distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, the… Continue reading