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Veteran reporter Stahl discusses career, new book at New Trier
Lesley Stahl (left) discusses her career with moderator Heidi Stevens during a Family Action Network presentation on Thursday, April 6, at New Trier’s Cornog Auditorium in Northfield. Libby Elliott/22nd Century Media.
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Libby Elliott, Freelance Reporter 2:56 pm CDT April 9, 2017 Share +
Devotees of CBS’s TV news hour, “60 Minutes,” know reporter Lesley Stahl for her tough questions during hard-hitting interviews on the weekly show. Stahl, a former CBS News White House correspondent during the Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush administrations, has spent her 45-year career landing exclusive interviews with presidents, prime ministers, celebrities and notorious criminals. But when Stahl visited the New Trier West Campus in Northfield on Thursday, April 6, to deliver a Family Action Network (FAN) presentation to local residents, the topic wasn’t her accolades or credentials. The 75-year old news veteran wanted to talk about being a grandmother, and to describe the unexpected “jolt” of joy, devotion and wonderment she experienced upon the birth of her first grandchild in 2011. “No one prepares you for the emotional physicality of what happens,” Stahl told an audience of approximately 250 people gathered in New Trier’s Cornog Auditorium. “I learned that the brain pathways for baby love are the same pathways as romantic love, so I realized that I was, in fact, falling in love with my grandchild.” Stahl is promoting the paperback release of her 2016 New York Times bestseller, “Becoming Grandma: The Joy and Science of the New Grandparenting.” Joined onstage by moderator Heidi Stevens — who writes a column for the Chicago Tribune called “Balancing Act” — Stahl described tackling the subject of “grandmother-hood” with the same approach she uses as a reporter. Combining personal narrative with interviews and research, Stahl’s book recounts her own unique experience as a grandmother, but also addresses the shifting demographics behind a “huge” trend, whereby aging baby boomers play an increasingly vital role in supporting their children and grandchildren —physically, financially, and emotionally.
“There’s been a generational inversion in this country in terms of income,” she said. “Our kids are not making as much money as we did and they’re both working. They are needing our help.” At one point during her talk, Stahl asked for a show of hands from all grandparents in the auditorium. “My people,” she exclaimed, as the majority of the audience identified themselves. “Our group is spending seven times more on grandchildren than grandparents did 10 years ago. We’re paying for medical care and education…we’re buying big-ticket items. We’re not just buying toys anymore.” Stahl said grandparents are living longer — sometimes as many as 30 years past the standard retirement age of 65. Stahl said she’s met numerous older couples that have sold family homes and left friends and communities to help raise their grandchildren, whose parents “desperately” need help. In an interview with The Wilmette Beacon, Stahl said women from her generation are redefining the word “grandma.” Gone, she says, is the mythical notion of “granny” as a gray-haired woman knitting in a rocking chair. “Grannies today are MD’s, airline pilots, construction workers, MBA‘s and presidential candidates,” Stahl said. “We don’t — generally speaking — have tightly-permed white hair. We’re blonds and we jog. We are a new breed and we love being grandmothers.” Stahl also reiterated her belief that today’s working mothers balance family and professional commitments better than baby boomers did 40 years ago. “We tipped too far toward the job,” she said. “As the first wave of women into the workplace, we were far too grateful to be in the door, and far too timid to speak up about needing to be at a soccer match or the pediatrician’s office.” Stahl’s daughter, Taylor, lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two young children, Jordan and Chloe. When asked how she, and other grandparents stay involved in their grandchildren’s lives, despite distance, Stahl insisted that it’s easier now than ever before. “Let’s hear it for Skype and FaceTime,” she said. “Grandparents are helping with
homework from across the country. They’re ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ over drawings, and bike riding. This is a brave new world.” When questioned about her granddaughters’ reaction when they see “Grandma” on television, Stahl said it was generally an “uncelebrated fact of life.” “I will say that when I did a story on Sesame Street recently, and was in the company of one Elmo, my image with my granddaughters took a huge leap into hero territory,” Stahl said.
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More from The Wilmette Beacon Speedskating: New Trier senior wins U.S. speedskating championship Pet of the Week: Dallas Boys lacrosse: Loyola shuts down Lake Forest in second half Girls soccer: New Trier drops first match of 2017 Egg hunt, art showcase bring Kenilworth families together Veteran reporter Stahl discusses career, new book at New Trier
Publications Chicago Southwest The Frankfort Station The Homer Horizon The Lockport Legend The Mokena Messenger The New Lenox Patriot The Orland Park Prairie The Tinley Junction
Chicago North Shore The Glencoe Anchor The Glenview Lantern The Highland Park Landmark The Lake Forest Leader The Northbrook Tower The Wilmette Beacon The Winnetka Current
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SPORTS High School Youth Athlete of the Month Athlete of the Week
OPINION From the Editor Letters to the Editor Contributing Columnists
LIFE & ARTS Dining Out Faith Briefs The Scene
MARKETPLACE 2017 North Shore Choice Award Winners Spring Active Aging Guide 2017 Camp Guide 2017 Camp Guide Part 2 Real Estate Classifieds
BEACON PLUS Member Benefits Digital Paper
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Veteran reporter Stahl discusses career, new book at New Trier
Lesley Stahl (left) discusses her career with moderator Heidi Stevens during a Family Action Network presentation on Thursday, April 6, at New Trier’s Cornog Auditorium in Northfield. Libby Elliott/22nd Century Media.
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2.
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3.
Wilmette's Pratt releases haunting debut album
4.
Police Reports: Mailman assaulted while sorting mail in Wilmette
5.
Election 2017: Incumbents retain seats on Wilmette Park Board
View More
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Libby Elliott, Freelance Reporter 2:56 pm CDT April 9, 2017 Share +
Devotees of CBS’s TV news hour, “60 Minutes,” know reporter Lesley Stahl for her tough questions during hard-hitting interviews on the weekly show. Stahl, a former CBS News White House correspondent during the Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush administrations, has spent her 45-year career landing exclusive interviews with presidents, prime ministers, celebrities and notorious criminals. But when Stahl visited the New Trier West Campus in Northfield on Thursday, April 6, to deliver a Family Action Network (FAN) presentation to local residents, the topic wasn’t her accolades or credentials. The 75-year old news veteran wanted to talk about being a grandmother, and to describe the unexpected “jolt” of joy, devotion and wonderment she experienced upon the birth of her first grandchild in 2011. “No one prepares you for the emotional physicality of what happens,” Stahl told an audience of approximately 250 people gathered in New Trier’s Cornog Auditorium. “I learned that the brain pathways for baby love are the same pathways as romantic love, so I realized that I was, in fact, falling in love with my grandchild.” Stahl is promoting the paperback release of her 2016 New York Times bestseller, “Becoming Grandma: The Joy and Science of the New Grandparenting.” Joined onstage by moderator Heidi Stevens — who writes a column for the Chicago Tribune called “Balancing Act” — Stahl described tackling the subject of “grandmother-hood” with the same approach she uses as a reporter. Combining personal narrative with interviews and research, Stahl’s book recounts her own unique experience as a grandmother, but also addresses the shifting demographics behind a “huge” trend, whereby aging baby boomers play an increasingly vital role in supporting their children and grandchildren —physically, financially, and emotionally.
“There’s been a generational inversion in this country in terms of income,” she said. “Our kids are not making as much money as we did and they’re both working. They are needing our help.” At one point during her talk, Stahl asked for a show of hands from all grandparents in the auditorium. “My people,” she exclaimed, as the majority of the audience identified themselves. “Our group is spending seven times more on grandchildren than grandparents did 10 years ago. We’re paying for medical care and education…we’re buying big-ticket items. We’re not just buying toys anymore.” Stahl said grandparents are living longer — sometimes as many as 30 years past the standard retirement age of 65. Stahl said she’s met numerous older couples that have sold family homes and left friends and communities to help raise their grandchildren, whose parents “desperately” need help. In an interview with The Wilmette Beacon, Stahl said women from her generation are redefining the word “grandma.” Gone, she says, is the mythical notion of “granny” as a gray-haired woman knitting in a rocking chair. “Grannies today are MD’s, airline pilots, construction workers, MBA‘s and presidential candidates,” Stahl said. “We don’t — generally speaking — have tightly-permed white hair. We’re blonds and we jog. We are a new breed and we love being grandmothers.” Stahl also reiterated her belief that today’s working mothers balance family and professional commitments better than baby boomers did 40 years ago. “We tipped too far toward the job,” she said. “As the first wave of women into the workplace, we were far too grateful to be in the door, and far too timid to speak up about needing to be at a soccer match or the pediatrician’s office.” Stahl’s daughter, Taylor, lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two young children, Jordan and Chloe. When asked how she, and other grandparents stay involved in their grandchildren’s lives, despite distance, Stahl insisted that it’s easier now than ever before. “Let’s hear it for Skype and FaceTime,” she said. “Grandparents are helping with
homework from across the country. They’re ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ over drawings, and bike riding. This is a brave new world.” When questioned about her granddaughters’ reaction when they see “Grandma” on television, Stahl said it was generally an “uncelebrated fact of life.” “I will say that when I did a story on Sesame Street recently, and was in the company of one Elmo, my image with my granddaughters took a huge leap into hero territory,” Stahl said.
Add comment You're currently logged in as: Libby Elliott Comment
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More from The Wilmette Beacon Speedskating: New Trier senior wins U.S. speedskating championship Pet of the Week: Dallas Boys lacrosse: Loyola shuts down Lake Forest in second half Girls soccer: New Trier drops first match of 2017 Egg hunt, art showcase bring Kenilworth families together Veteran reporter Stahl discusses career, new book at New Trier
Publications Chicago Southwest The Frankfort Station The Homer Horizon The Lockport Legend The Mokena Messenger The New Lenox Patriot The Orland Park Prairie The Tinley Junction
Chicago North Shore The Glencoe Anchor The Glenview Lantern The Highland Park Landmark The Lake Forest Leader The Northbrook Tower The Wilmette Beacon The Winnetka Current
Company West Coast Malibu Surfside News
22nd Century Media About Us Contact Us Advertise With Us Careers
© Copyright 2017, 22nd Century Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Code Of Conduct
Sound Off Policy
