Helping a vulnerable child

In a previous post, I said I would come back to talking about how grandparents can help their grandchildren manage vulnerability. Thanks to psychologist Anne Williams-Wengerd, MA, LP, PhD, a friend and former collaborator (see here and here) I’m making good on that promise now. 

What grandparents can offer

Williams-Wengerd's eclectic approach to practice emphasizes the practicality of cognitive behavioral therapy and the emotional richness of attachment theory. In her estimation, grandparents have a lot to offer when it comes to recognizing children’s vulnerability and helping them manage it. “Grandparents have more years on this earth, more experiences. They’re at a time in their life where developmentally speaking, they are probably reflecting back on what they've learned and oftentimes more aware of their own vulnerability.”