While we might’ve seen it in music and television shows years ago, I think the generation gap is showing up in a different spot this time around. Below, I believe the question posed to Grace—a parent fostering a relationship with their adult child—hit the nail on the head. It’s not about disco vs. pop anymore; it’s about time management.
Right now, many of us 20s, 30s, and 40s folks have our own roofs, are settling into our chosen careers, and have established families. We’re grateful. It’s also really hard to juggle everything, and sometimes it feels impossible to add one more thing to the list—even if it’s something we want to do.
I’m not sure exactly what the solution is. Of course, family is important. For sure, relationships rely on communication. But there’s also a difference between needing an adult for things as a child and exploring our own individual paths as we each navigate adulthood. I’m sure there’s a balance somewhere—just remember, balance is never one-sided. Here’s to figuring it out together because I’m so glad you’re here.
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Amie Knowles recalls her time at a private school in Virginia. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)
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From kindergarten through eighth grade, I was the poster child for private education. The Danville church my family attended built a small, off-property schoolhouse in the 1960s and hired two incredibly talented teachers who stayed there for 40 years. Then, the school received a devastating blow in 2004 when the couple retired.
In the late spring and summer after the retirement announcement, the church scrambled to find replacements. A former public school teacher and church member stepped in to take over the lower grades. Meanwhile, the upper grades—my class—were handed to a man from Iowa with a degree in architecture. He didn’t have a teaching license, only a certificate, yet he was installed as both head teacher and principal.
Problems started quickly.
The head teacher rarely taught the curriculum. Instead, he berated students, warning that our souls were damned for enjoying fiction, wearing certain clothing, or having pierced ears. He even brought his wife back to campus to teach art, despite a court order barring her after she physically assaulted a child on school grounds.
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Local news is essential for democracy.
Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.
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Welcome to our weekly advice column, courtesy of Grace: She’s the big sister who shares her own mistakes so you can avoid making them, the coworker who builds you up to ask for the raise you deserve, and the friend who is always happy to listen.
We all need someone like Grace in our corner. Submit your own questions here.
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Dear Readers,
How can I build a better relationship with my children? They’re grown and live in another state.
— Missing Them in CT
Dear Missing Them,
Ask The Readers is your regular chance to grab the mic and give advice to other readers in our community. Each piece of advice we share comes from a different thoughtful reader. Keep an eye out for more juicy questions and answers!
I’ve gotten hundreds of questions like this from other mothers who are navigating the changing role of “mom” now that the kids are all grown up and leading lives of their own.
Parenting is hard and beautiful at every stage, and this one is no exception. There are any number of things that could be holding you and your kids back from the relationship you want. It could be physical distance and the challenges of living several states away. Maybe you’re feeling emotional distance caused by some unresolved hurts or just the way that life and work can get in the way of actually connecting with each other.
No matter what kind of distance you may be grappling with, our community had wonderful advice to share. Here are some of my takeaways…
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Wow, that’s a lot of cash.
I’m curious: If you had the say-so over a multi-billion-dollar fund, what would you do with it? Solve world hunger? Fix the housing market? Assist returning veterans?
You know where to find me (amie@couriernewsroom.com), and I can’t wait to hear from you.
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In place of typical “events” this week, I wanted to highlight some places to explore throughout Virginia for Women’s History Month. These are taken from a longer article written by Aila Boyd, which you can access here. Do you have somewhere to add to this list? If so, email me at amie@couriernewsroom.com to let me know.
❤️ The Henrietta Lacks Plaza in downtown Roanoke celebrates the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, a native of Roanoke who has contributed to modern scientific advancements in immeasurable ways following the 1951 taking of her cancerous cervical cells without consent.
❤️ The Military Women’s Memorial honors the countless women who have courageously served the country. Surprisingly, it’s the only major national memorial of its kind. It can be found at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.
❤️ The Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza shines light on the legacy of Maggie L. Walker, a native of Richmond who is remembered as being an early example of African American female entrepreneurship. In 1903, she became the first Black woman to charter a bank in the U.S. when she launched St. Luke Penny Savings Bank.
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Are you enjoying this newsletter?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd and Galvanize Together. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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