Make a generational difference

If you have adult children, grandchildren of voting age, or younger friends of voting age, please take this message seriously. We have a chance to make a generational difference. 


Here’s a round-figure illustration of what I mean: Bonner County has about 40,000 people — give-or-take. The percentage of people age 65-plus in Idaho is 16.3%. That’s close enough to our county’s older population percentage for this example. That means approximately 6,520 people in Bonner County are age 65-plus. A significant number.


I don’t know how many of those persons voted in 2018, but 48.1% of eligible Idaho voters did vote. That suggests about 3,136 county residents age 65-plus voted. Again, a significant number. 


What if a majority of those people who voted intentionally urged their adult children or grandchildren (of voting age) to become registered voters and vote in the Nov. 3 General Election? Personally, I hope that many more than 3,136 older adults vote this fall. 


I also hope we talk with our children and vote-eligible grandchildren about exercising responsible citizenship by voting. Wherever they live, they can vote. In Bonner County, here are some dates to remember:


Sept. 18 – last day to mail out absentee ballots to those who have requested them. (Mail-in ballots can be sent in whenever you receive them.) Oct. 9 – last day to pre-register to vote. Oct. 19 – begin in-person voting. October 23 – last day for mail-in absentee requests (If you want this absentee ballot, please don’t wait this long.). Oct. 30 – Last day for in-person absentee voting. Don’t take a chance on delayed mail service. Send your absentee ballot in as soon as possible.


On a totally topic that also involves making a generational difference, I remind you that the next Virtual Geezer Forum happens next Tuesday, Sept. 22. Our speaker is Dr. Foster Cline, a retired pediatric psychiatrist. His subject is “Grandparents Who Use Love and Logic.” 


Foster has become famous for his “Love and Logic” approach to working with children and families. He brings it to the Geezer Forum for the first time to engage us grandparent-types as we relate to our own children and grandchildren. 


Foster will use humor and practical information to describe the Love and Logic approach. But he also wants people to ask lots of questions about more effective grandparenting. Perhaps you have questions or comments about areas like these:


• How to ensure others accept responsibility;

• How to make sure every mistake is a learning experience;

• Four essential steps to help with problem-solving;

• How to say “no” so children accept it; * Essential differences between consequences and punishment, or anger and being firm, or assertiveness and aggressiveness, or sympathy and empathy.

You may have other concerns you want to ask Foster about, too. Whatever the conversation, I expect it to be lively and informative for us.


Our virtual gathering will be next Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2:30-4 p.m., and we’ll use Zoom as our video platform. It is a simpler video tool to log into than what we used on Sept. 8. If you wish to join us that day, please contact Paul Graves for the Zoom invitation. (See email below)

Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.