Relationships, Old and New
Connecting with Grandchildren
Finding Romance and Intimacy
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Helpful Links

Relationships, Old and New

Think about how you can make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Life's transitions can make you think about yourself and your relationships in new ways.

Retirement suddenly means 40 to 50 hours a week of extra free time. As Americans, we tend to define ourselves by the work we do, instead of who we are. The initial transition to retirement can challenge your identity in ways you never conceived. You will leave colleagues behind-many of whom may have become good friends. But don't worry. You can still make an effort to connect with them outside of work, and even meet new friends.

Embracing opportunity is what life is all about. You make new friends, find new hobbies and go new places. Change keeps you on your toes and living in the moment. So embrace the change and take a positive outlook-it will make a world of difference.

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Connecting with Grandchildren

Grandchildren are a joyous gift. There are so many ways you can share your love with them regardless of how far away you are, how much money you have and what you are physically able to do with them. Odds are, they think you are great no matter what.

• Do ordinary things with your grandchildren. Have them over for dinner, take them to the Houston Zoo or teach them about your family history. They will love you for the time you spend with them, not the things you give them.
• If you have a lot of grandchildren, try spending time with them one-on-one.This way they get individual attention and you get to know each other even better.
• Did your grandson inherit your love for the Astros? Maybe you both love to fish. Invite your grandchildren to do something fun with you.
• Tell your grandchildren about special experiences you've had in your life. A four-year-old will want to hear about the snake you saw in Mexico. A teenager will want to know why you were there and what the experience was like.

Staying in touch

Children keep getting more and more technologically advanced, but this does not mean you have to learn how to video chat to connect with your grandkids. There are millions of creative ways to keep in touch with them. You could make scrapbooks of your visits together, plan special trips or send tins of home-baked cookies. Whether it is sending a letter or making time to chat on the phone each week, keeping up with your grandkids will be fulfilling and fun for everyone.

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Finding Romance and Intimacy

You may feel as sprightly now as you did 20 years ago, enjoying many of the same activities. Just as hobbies and friendships are an essential part of life, so are romance and intimacy. You will never outgrow your need for affection.

Romance is exciting and can boost your self-esteem. Dinners at fabulous restaurants, dancing, sharing hobbies and yes, exploring intimacy, are all things that you will enjoy doing with a spouse of 50 years or a new partner. The desire for sexual intimacy is ageless.

• Do not be embarrassed to have conversations with your doctor about sex. A doctor can help you understand how your body changes as you age and how this affects your sex life.
• Remember, safety is important at any age. Make sure you and your partner have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Good health is vital for a good sex life. Exercise, eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and avoid cigarettes and alcohol. Click here to visit the Health page on this website.

Remember that it is never too late to meet someone special. Did you know that nearly half of all people ages 65 and older in the U.S. are single? Part of staying young is experiencing new things with someone you care about.

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Order Resources

Click here to order free resources on relationships.

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Helpful Links

Grandparents.com

Neighborhood Centers, Senior Centers Locations

SeniorSex.Org: Older Adult Sexuality Reference

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