Pumpkin is blessed to have two Grandmas and a Pop-Pop. I know from personal experience how wonderful a close relationship with a grandparent can be — I was raised by my grandmother while my mom worked. I am thankful that Pumpkin is getting the opportunity to be cared for by her Grandma while I work. Naturally, my mother is nuts about Pumpkin, and the feeling is mutual. Although my mom doesn’t have the energy for endless games of peek-a-boo or the flexibility to sit on the floor playing blocks, she has the patience to read the same story a million times and the perspective to find joy just watching Pumpkin discover the world.

Not every child has grandparents living nearby, but it is possible to give all children an opportunity to spend time with a senior citizen, according to Linda Forman, the subject of today’s Questions & Parents feature, or Q&P for short. Linda is vice president of community relations at United Hebrew Geriatric Center in New Rochelle. The center has a variety of intergenerational programs that allow children and teens to interact with the senior residents though a day-care center, community service and internships. Linda, a resident of Edgemont, is also the mother of two grown children, Seth, 25, and Marc, 21.

Q: When your children were young, did they have relationships with seniors? If so, what was that like?

P: My children were very lucky to have grandparents who were very active in their lives, and as a result, both of my sons have very special bonds with their grandparents. I truly believe that my sons’ and parents’ lives were deeply enriched as a result of their relationships. My parents taught them skills that I could not teach, like sailing and skiing. They shared stories of life before computers, microwaves, giant supermarkets, about World War II and the Great Depression. They told them about real history and taught them about their European heritage. Now that they are grown, they are still very close and see each other regularly. My parents just learned how to e-mail, and they keep up the relationship through the Internet, sending e-mail and pictures. I think my boys are more sensitive to aging issues due to this ongoing interaction.

Q: If a child doesn’t have a family member nearby who is a senior citizen, how can parents give their children a chance for interacting with the older generation?

A: There are so many opportunities for parents to help their children interact with seniors. I encourage them to contact local volunteer centers for a list of opportunities or ask a guidance counselor or religious leader what opportunities are available locally. Believe it or not, all it takes is a friendly visit or time together playing a game to make a real difference.

Q: How do children benefit from interacting with senior citizens?

P: The benefits of intergenerational interaction are tremendous. Our seniors absolutely love to see young people — their faces just brighten up when a young person walks into the room. The seniors share their stories, their wisdom and their experiences. The children can bring the seniors into the world of the future and enable them to feel part of it — not left behind. New friendships are forged, and each generation helps the other feel valued. Interacting with seniors helps children to develop a better sensitivity to others and teaches them to communicate with those who might come from a different culture or have a different perspective of the world around them. Youth can also develop a stronger sense of self-confidence by learning new skills taught by seniors. Perhaps most importantly, interacting with older adults enables young adults to establish positive images of aging.

Q: How can a parent help their children and their own parents have more meaningful and happy interactions?

P: The most important part of the relationship between a youth and a senior is the development of that relationship; they should take time to get to know each other. Perhaps they will find a common interest like chess, gardening or reading mystery books. Our gerontechnology program enables our residents to learn from college students how to navigate the Internet and send e-mail to family members. The students have skills that they share with our seniors. We pair them one-on-one, and they develop meaningful friendships and learn to rely on each other. It happens naturally.

Q: What are some bumps on the road to friendship between the generations, and how can they be avoided?

P: Stereotypes can sometimes get in the way of growing close to elders — especially to those who are frail. We conduct a volunteer orientation so that our volunteers understand that injury or frailty on the outside does not mean that seniors are “different� on the inside. We demonstrate to our young people what it is like to have impaired vision or physical challenges due to chronic illness. Inevitably, they become more sensitive to others and develop more empathy.

Q: What kinds of activities are best when two generations meet? When the child is a toddler? In grade school? A teenager?

P: There are appropriate activities for every age. A toddler just has to be held or throw a ball, and the seniors love it. Grade-school children can help with an arts-and-crafts project, sing or play an instrument. Teenagers are curious about history and stories of life before them. They also like being active; some activities could include planting a garden, creating a scrapbook of their friendship, introducing new foods to each other or even praying together.

Q: What advice do you have for grandparents to help them form solid relationships with their grandchildren?

P: Many of us who have been lucky enough to have grandparents know that the bond with them is different than the bond with our own parents. Positive relationships enable the grandchildren to confide in their grandparents when they need familial guidance. Listening is so important. Find a common interest and spend time together. Introduce new experiences to each other. If possible, have dinner or talk with each other once a week. Stay connected.

Thank you very much to Linda for sharing her knowledge by doing a Q&P! If you would like to be featured, or you know any parents who have expertise to share, please comment here on the blog or send me an e-mail at jalterio@lohud.com.

And, in case you missed them, here are links to earlier Q&P features with a dog trainer dad, financial planner mom, writer mom, mathematician mom, baker mom, environmentalist mom, pediatric dentist mom and a mom and dad who are bicycle experts.