Big Brother/Sister & "Littles"??

Okay, I have the idea, but need some suggestions how to put it together.

I know we have a large variety of ages. Can we make a cut-off and say 30 and younger as the "Littles" and 30+ years old as "Big Brother/Sister"? I was thinking it would be nice if we "paired up" a "big" and a "little", and shared information with each other. Maybe via snail mail, email, send plants, packages, chat on icq/im...... not sure completely.

So I'm looking for ideas. CoCo suggested '30' as the cut off, and that should work. I'm not sure how many 'little's we'll have, but it's sure worth a shot.

I'm in the "ideas" stage. So I will let you know when to email me with your information if you're willing to participate. (I'm not ready for that info just yet).

thanks!
-Jennifer
-Zippy DiaperLips. :)

So you're thoughts are: Pairing up older, more knowledgable gardeners with younger gardeners? That would be great. That just might make the younger gardeners no matter what age they are more at ease at asking a question. That way they wouldn't feel like they are asking "dumb" questions...no question is dumb. But adults have a tendancy to make young folks feel that way. Let me know if I can help.

Angel
What if you are over 50 and feel like ur 21???? :)

Paul - I think this would work best if we stick with real ages.

Mom - Yeah, gardening, as well was "the rest of life". :) I was also thinking recipe sharing, 'goodie box' sharing, and other sorts of ideas.

But the idea is right. Us 'littles' don't know a lot about 'life'. And I know that. But until somebody teaches me, I'm not gonna get any smarter. I'm looking for a connection that would reach past relatives and teachers to friendships.

Keep the ideas and suggestions flowing. :)

-Jennifer

Angelsong its a nice idea but I'm 28 and while I don't know everything about gardening and never will, I've been gardening since I was able to pick up watering cans and know not to eat whats in front of me. There are many of us youngsters here who do have a certain level of experience.

Now if there is a big brother/sister who is a horticulturalist it might work for me LOL ;)

I'm in the over 30 group, but would love to be in the under 30 group since I am new to most aspects of gardening. Is there a way for those of us who are close to be bumped up or down based on what "we think" we need?

I'm 54 and really don't know jack about gardening...soooo a "little" that does would be a good match for me. LOL one day my thumbs might actually turn green.

Okay, let me try to clarify...

This isn't just about gardening. While I realize DG is gardening, I want this to be about "life" too.

Does this help??

-Jennifer

Another word to think of that a friend just suggested to me to help everybody understand the idea... :) (thank you !!)

Mentors!!

-Jennifer

I'll help Angel...just let us know when and where.As you will find here at DG almost any project or idea that benefits people will be welcomed.But ,as with all good ideas,you've had the brainstorm,so we're gonna let this be your baby. Your first 'little' lesson. Feel free to email me and I'll help with the logistics and deployment.

I think it's a wonderful idea and so many of us will have a wonderful time learning about each other and life.

do you mean like having a special friend or secret sis or brother?
Someone to share things with-stories,jokes,gifts..life!
im in the older group only by AGE-my heart is 17!!
dori

Dori.. yep yep yep yep yep! That's the idea. :)

Now, so far, other than Mom and melody, is anybody else 'up for it'? I"m not gonna pursue a long hard thought of this if there's not a good number.... :)

Let me know...

-Jennifer

A 'buddy' system. I think what AngelSong is getting at here,that each member who is willing to go in on this would be paired up with a 'buddy' to help each other out,communicate one on one and get to know each other better,and can send cards, gifts, or whatever to your 'buddy' Does not all have to deal with gardening. Sometimes a person may just need someone else to talk to one on one and call e-mail his/or her 'buddy' and they can do that. Then maybe down the road we can change and have new buddies if some what to change,or can keep your same 'buddy or buddies'. Maybe you would like to have more than one 'buddy'.
Sorry,AngelSong, didn't mean to get carried away here. This is your 'baby' but will help out if you need me. I'm here for ya,girl. Again,I apologize for talking too much here.

Kinda like a Secret Pal?? Don't feel bad CoCo....she confused me too,,,,and I really should know what she's talking about.

Im in and I wanna help! =]
We use to do this at boarding school-great idea!
dori

I want in!!!!

Duh,forgot to tell you that I want in on this :-0)

Come on gardeners, there should be interested in doing this. This really sounds like it could be fun.

This message was edited Friday, Oct 5th 9:27 AM

Okay, with a fear of sounding repetitive, let me try this one more time.


This isn't just about gardening!!! Please understand. I'm not just fixing up "plant buddies". The idea is a mentor for a younger person.

I'm younger. Teach me about new recipes for dinner, teach me how to remove a stain at the last minute from an outfit, give me somebody to talk to if I need it, help me understand something that doesn't make sense, let me send you a card sometimes, let me send you a recipe I've found.

Not just gardening!!!!!!


*ugh .... at least a few people get the idea ... *

-Jennifer

I understand what you're gettin' at...it's a great idea, count me in!


Maybe if those who wanted to participate set up a profile of themselves, and you could play matchmaker based on that.

Can I be a little? I'm in. Profiles sound like it would make your job much easier. Angelsong - Shout if you need some help - I'll lend a hand organizing

brad_cj

You are on the list. :)

Helpers and helpees. Sounds like a good idea to me. A profile sounds good and we could link up with someone we could help or someone who could help us. Actually we all fall into both categories from time to time.

I planned on getting information from folks about themselves once I found out who was interested. So I'm not at "profiling" just yet. I'm still at the "does anybody want to do this?" stage. :)

Thanks
Jennifer

MaryE - interested in being involved? :)

Sounds interesting...Im 41...will be 42 Dec 18th!

Hmmm.......What if(well Iguess it won`t be if cuzz i`m 39 ) i`m the old one & scaired that I won`t have the right info???? You can count me in tho...ok?
Jen

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This reminds me of Titus 2 fellowship. We just started a group at our church. Basically, it is a fellowship of married women of varying ages, and we get together once a month just to talk. There is no Bible study - plenty of opportunity for that elsewhere - but rather a time to share our experiences. We have ours set up so each month has a topic; some include "having devotions with your husband" (Oct), "cooking" (Nov), "holiday traditions" (Dec). We're having one on gardening in the spring, too. ;o)

The topics are known ahead of time, and all the women are encouraged to bring articles, pictures, etc. to talk about. It's a neat exchange of ideas. The ladies who have been married for many years are able to help the younger ladies avoid a lot of the pitfalls new marriages can fall prey to. We talk about everything from arguing to potty training, crafts to dealing with in-laws...It really runs the gamut. And the conversations don't have to stick to the month's topic (hey, we ARE women); some of the best meetings have been where conversation has strayed and we've been able to address something completely off-topic, but needed.

We're striving to have a good balance between the older ladies (those whose children, if any, are grown and out of the house) and younger ladies. Some of us, myself included, don't have kids and don't plan on it. It's a really neat fellowship, with each age group gaining so much from the other. I love it!

I've just learned there's an online version of this type of fellowship. I don't know how similar it is to ours, but it looks neat. http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/Atrium/3771/

MZM,now why would anyone object.You silly girl,you.

MzM: There you are! I was worried. You Okay?

I'm new here and I'm in if it's ok. I'm 31 now but with the past history of my life and all the tragic events that have taken place, you'd think I was 80. I've had lots of people ask me how I've made it this far. Believe me it hasn't been easy and I've been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder recently and now trying to deal with that too. I have so many stories, I could write my own book :o)
Not quite on the book writing yet.....lol....but I did write a poem that was published.....that was pretty exciting. Anyway, if you want me, I'm in

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Wooo WooOO!! This is finally taking off! You guys are all making me Happy! :) :)

MzM ! Love you girl! :) Glad you're 'on board'.

-Jennifer

bumping this thread back up for more views. :)

Sounds like I need to get in, but I want to have you younger folks teach me. I have a younger male acquaintance who takes great pride in telling people he taught me how to be playful and I taught him how to temper it with reason. Well, that's what he means, but not how he says it. So, if you don't mind, I'll tell you about how I raised all seven kids as a single parent, and you can tell me how to feel young or act young or dance to rap or whatever. Like that? Aimée

Sounds to me Angel that that's what we have going for us already here at DG! I'm 'old' when it comes to life's experiences but 'young' when it comes to plants.

shuttle - I am intending it to be one on one. There are things I wouldn't feel comfortable telling a group of 4,000 that would be easier to email to someone I felt close to.

Aimee - :) I'll put you on the list . Thanks!

-Jennifer

Eeeeewww, EEeeeew, MZM??? I object! LOL Just kidding. Love ya like a sister-but better because we aren't related. LMBO
Maybe I need Aimee. I'm pretty good in the garden, but could sure use advice on raising a large family. :) I missed the cut off though by three years, to be a little. LOL
I am in. I need somebody that understands I have four and a half kids and a part time job and am sometimes slow to return Email. :)
Michele

Jennifer...you can count me in as well. Ginger