Archives by: Karen Shadrach
About the author
Karen Shadrach is an on-the-go, in-the-know grandmother of two sets of twins, and our NEO Grandparent columnist. Prior to retirement, she worked within the Cleveland Clinic Health System for 33 years, both as a Registered Medical Technologist and a Lead Research Technologist in the Ophthalmic Research Department. Now retired(?), she spends most of her time babysitting-teaching and entertaining the twins. When she’s not grandmothering, Karen spends time with friends, plays flute in the Independence community band, is a member of the Cleveland Astronomy Society and walks her basset hounds, Tucker and Herman. Do you have grandparenting questions about where to go and what to do when you get there? Email Karen at
[email protected].
Karen Shadrach Posts
Connect with other family and friends with a Zoom meeting before, during or after your meal. If some relatives are unable to join in, be sure to find a way to reach out to those who are close to you and the grandkids. ...
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No trick-or-treating this year? No problem! Grammy on the Go has terrific, creative options that will keep your grandchildren excited and happy with Halloween at home! ...
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The library systems in Northeast Ohio have once again opened their doors, and even though storytimes have been suspended, you can still enjoy a story outdoors on one of many storybook trails. The storybook trails are short stories that you follow from sign to sign, reading as you go along and following their directions. These trails help to build children’s interest in reading and are for children of all levels to enjoy the outdoors and read a book with their families. ...
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The air is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to turn colors. It’s beginning to feel like fall and it’s time for apple picking. The only thing better than spending a sunny, crisp fall day in an orchard picking apples is sharing this fall tradition with grandchildren. ...
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There are so many things for your grandchildren to do with sidewalk chalk! Playing with sidewalk chalk reinforces the learning of color skills and also improves dexterity. Very little preparation is required for hours of colorful fun and contagious joy. ...
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Do you want to go to a fun, all-in-one place where you can shop for candy, play miniature golf and eat ice cream? Then this giant wholesale candy store in Cleveland is where you need to take the grandkids this summer! This complex offers a multitude of fun, yet is still small enough to be able to maintain social distancing and to feel safe. ...
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Make small wands by wrapping pipe cleaners around the top of sticks to form a circle. Popsicle sticks, a dowel rod, or even sticks from your yard will work well. You can get fancier and have the grandkids use beads to string onto the pipe cleaners to decorate before attaching to the wand stick. ...
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Growing sunflowers with your grandchildren is a rewarding summertime experience. The weekly growth of sunflowers is staggering and the kids can measure and record each sunflower’s progress. Soon, the plants surpass the child’s height before blooming in late summer or early fall into their magnificent yellow and orange heads. And, of course, it is important to save some seeds for next year, dry them and wait until another spring to continue the sunflower tradition! ...
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