Mary Robinson, the former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, offered a tip for grandparents in remarks last week in Minneapolis.
Responding to a question as to how she first became interested in human rights, she credited her grandfather. When she was only 10 to 12 years old, she said she loved going to his law office. There she saw his library of law books and heard him talk about the law, his cases and how law could be used to address human problems. She concluded at her young age that she would become a lawyer who would use law to address human problems.
Robinson also remarked that her grandfather did not know how to talk to children. I disagree. Her own testimony proves that her grandfather knew exactly how to talk with his grand-daughter. It is a powerful tip to a grandparent like me. Do not underestimate the talents of your grandchildren. Talk with them about serious subjects in an adult manner.
Dear Krohnke, this is a very nice idea. To share your ideas and experience with your friends and spread them out.
Interesting the post about Mary Robinson´s grandfather. It remind me about the comments of your own grandson to you: ´You are my heroe`.
Please, tell us more about his reasons. Elizabeth
Elizabeth, thank you for your comment. First, I have thought more about Mary Robinson’s comment. She did not give enough credit to her grandfather. We do not know if he spoke this way with all of his grandchildren or with her from the day when she started to talk. I doubt it. He must have recognized that she was someone special, and she obviously responded positively to his talking about the law. Her comment about “not knowing how to talk to children” also erroneously suggests that there is only one acceptable way to talk with all children all the time. Second, my 10-year old grandson did not give reasons for his comment about me. But I talk with him like Mary Robinson’s grandfather talked with her. For example, at his school he recently was allowed to help create his own subjects of study, and he chose Libya. Last Sunday I talked with him about the U.N., the Security Council’s referral of the Libyan situation to the ICC, and I loaned him my copies of the Security Council’s minutes of its recent meetings about Libya and the resolutions it adopted. And he helps me with my iPad and other technology questions.