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Janet Givens

Author

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  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • BOOKS & EVENTS
    • JANET
      • At Home on the Kazakh Steppe
      • LEAPFROG
      • Events
    • WOODY
      • MOLP
      • Kmedjzik
      • The Woonboot
      • Cargo
  • LEARN MORE
  • SUBSTACK
  • WELCOME
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • BOOKS & EVENTS
    • JANET
      • At Home on the Kazakh Steppe
      • LEAPFROG
      • Events
    • WOODY
      • MOLP
      • Kmedjzik
      • The Woonboot
      • Cargo
  • LEARN MORE
  • SUBSTACK

the importance of grandchildren

15 Feb 2023

The Mindful Grandparent

News of the pending arrival of my first two grandchildren — yes, both my sons called the same weekend with their news — came with mixed emotions. Ecstasy was followed quickly with dismay: we had applied to join the Peace … Read More

Bella, David Ackerman photography, Eli, Elijah, grandchildren, Isabella, Shirley Showalter, the importance of grandchildren, The Mindful Grandparent
23 Aug 2017

Being Grandma

It’s an honorable role, grandmother. That’s how I see it. And this week, for the second time this summer, the role of grandma — Gramma Janet, to be specific —  is one I adopt with gusto. My older son Dave, … Read More

grandchildren, grandmothers, grandsons, the importance of grandchildren
1 Oct 2014

Happy Birthday to the Two Grandbabies — now they are 11

As anyone who’s read my memoir, At Home on the Kazakh Steppe, will know,  Woody and I postponed our application process for sixteen months while we awaited the births of my two sons’ first babies.  (Amazon link is here)   … Read More

At Home on the Kazakh Steppe, grandchildren, Grandma Janet, Janet Givens author, the importance of grandchildren

Post Archives


Books

LEAPFROG: How to hold a civil conversation in an uncivil era

“Janet’s LEAPFROG describes— in an accessible and fun way— the nuts and bolts of how to have a civil conversation…”

Click here for more on LEAPFROG

At Home on the Kazakh Steppe:A Peace Corps Memoir

Praise from Kirkus Review

“…she writes engagingly … a sharp-eyed journalist. A worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in humanitarian work.”

At Home on the Kazakh Steppe, A Peace Corps Memoir, by Janet Givens
Buy the book

© 2025 Janet Givens