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The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
How grandparenting-led caregiving give kids improved confidence and security
Nine years ago, Noresah Junsi, 59, opted for early retirement from her civil service duty. She had imagined having time for herself – to travel, attend religious classes, enjoy coffee sessions with friends or simply rest, after dedicating much of her life to raising her four children alone. But life had other plans. Now, the single mother's days revolve around caring for her three grandchildren – aged three, seven and nine – at her home in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur. 'I've been babysitting them since they were born,' she says, eyes twinkling. 'It's been nine years.' Every week, from Monday to Friday, her routine begins mid-morning when she picks up her youngest grandson from nursery. At home, she bathes him, prepares his lunch and keeps him company as he slowly settles down for his afternoon nap. Not long after, the older two return from school, have a quick lunch and head off again for their religious classes before returning later in the evening. All three remain in her care until their parents arrive to fetch them after work. Despite the full-day, full-time commitment, Noresah, who uses a pseudonym, has no complaints. In fact, she embraces her role. 'What I love most is being able to give them my full attention and affection. It's wonderful to see them grow in a safe, happy environment.' Still, she is quick to set the record straight: she didn't exactly sign up for the job. In fact, she admits to being a little hesitant initially, given her original retirement plan. 'My children reached out for help as they were still finding their footing as parents,' Noresah explains. 'But now, it has become my choice.' 'When I was working, I relied heavily on my late mother to care for my children. This feels like a chance for me to make up for that,' adds the divorcee. 'It's like coming full circle.' The psychology behind the role Clinical psychologist Dr Pamilia Lourdunathan says Noresah's story is not uncommon in Malaysia. 'It has increasingly become the norm,' she explains. 'With dual-income households and rising childcare costs, many parents naturally turn to the people they trust most – their own parents.' In challenging family scenarios such as parental divorce, financial instability or emotional distress, grandparents often step in as a stable support system to safeguard the children's well-being. But in cases like Noresah's, Pamilia says, grandparents take on caregiving roles willingly and wholeheartedly, motivated by love, a sense of purpose and the joy of staying connected to their grandchildren's lives. 'From a psychological standpoint, caregiving can be deeply fulfilling for older adults,' says Pamilia, who is also a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia. 'It offers emotional connection, a renewed sense of purpose, and the joy of leaving a legacy.' She draws on German-American child psychoanalyst Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, which highlights that older adults seek meaning and reflection in the later stages of life. 'Caring for grandchildren provides that in a tangible and emotionally rewarding way,' she adds. Pamilia says grandparent-led care offers unique advantages for kids. Photo: PAMILIA LOURDUNATHAN Making the right choice Pamilia points out that the sense of choice – or lack of it – can significantly affect a grandparent's mental health, emotional well-being and how sustainable the caregiving arrangement is over time. How a grandparent feels about looking after their grandchildren – whether it's something they want to do or feel they have to – has a major impact on how they experience the role overall. 'Grandparents who choose to be involved often report greater happiness and fulfilment. It feels like a gift. But if they feel pressured into it – especially at the cost of their own plans or freedom – it can lead to resentment and fatigue,' she says. Noresah is aware of this delicate balance and advises fellow grandparents who are considering caregiving, to ask themselves if they're truly capable. 'If yes, then it can be one of the most rewarding things in life – but it does require mental and physical resilience,' she adds. The weight behind the joy Noresah admits that caring for young children in a person's golden years can be physically and mentally demanding. 'Sometimes I miss out on meeting friends, attending events or even the daily morning walks at the nearby lake. Most of the time, I can only do them on weekends,' she says. And when she has no choice but to attend an appointment on a working day, she has to plan ahead with her children. 'Sometimes, it feels like I'm asking for their permission to do something I need to do,' she admits. The challenges, she says, usually come up when she has a doctor's appointment that takes a while, or if there are financial matters at the bank or other unavoidable emergencies. 'These things affect their working schedule and most of the time, I feel bad about putting them in that situation,' Noresah admits. Pamilia agrees that grandparents often face hidden stress when they need to adjust their schedule. 'Even when caregiving is enjoyable, grandparents may find it challenging to establish limits, leading to burnout or strain on their own health and well-being.' She says they may feel emotionally drained – especially when expectations are high – and many find it difficult to admit that their energy levels no longer match the demands of childcare. Boundaries, she adds, are essential. 'Without clearly defined roles, grandparents risk becoming surrogate parents rather than supportive figures. This can create confusion not just for the children, but for the grandparents' own identity.' Despite the love they have for their grandkid, Pamilia says says grandparents may also feel emotionally drained because their energy levels no longer match the demands of childcare. Photo: Freepik Sense of security But done well, Pamilia says, grandparent-led care offers unique advantages, especially for grandchildren. 'Grandparents bring patience, life experiences and emotional steadiness that help children feel secure. They are often more relaxed, creating a low-stress environment that supports holistic development,' she says. With a second-round parenting perspective, grandparents can play a meaningful role in each stage of a child's life, from nurturing trust in infancy to encouraging imagination in early childhood and guiding moral thinking in adolescence. However, she cautions that there are potential downsides. 'Different parenting styles between generations can send mixed messages. Children may struggle to know whose authority to follow, especially if the lines aren't clear,' she adds. To ensure a healthy caregiving arrangement, Pamilia suggests families begin by clearly defining roles – being upfront about what grandparents are comfortable doing and what they are not. It's equally important, she adds, to support the grandparents' autonomy, allowing them to say no without guilt. Above all, she emphasises the need for open and respectful communication between parents and grandparents to help avoid misunderstandings and maintain mutual respect. 'At the end of the day,' she says, 'a sustainable arrangement is one that respects the needs of everyone involved; grandparents, parents and children.' As for Noresah, she wouldn't change a thing. 'Looking after my grandchildren gives me joy. It's like a kind of therapy,' she says with a laugh. 'They are my comfort.'
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
USMNT star Tillman joins Bayer Leverkusen in €40 million transfer
U.S. men's national team midfielder Malik Tillman has joined German side Bayer Leverkusen from PSV. Tillman has signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen, joining for a fee of around €40 million, per De Telegraaf. That fee would make Tillman the second-most expensive USMNT transfer ever, only trailing Christian Pulisic's reported €67m move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea in 2019. Tillman established himself as one of the best players in the Netherlands over his two seasons with PSV, winning league titles in both campaigns. Last season, the playmaker scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 34 games. The 23-year-old will have some massive shoes to fill in Leverkusen, with the club's star midfielder Florian Wirtz sold to Liverpool this summer for a reported British-record fee of £116 million (€134m). Tillman will also be playing under a new coach at Leverkusen. Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was brought in this summer to replace Xabi Alonso, who took over at Real Madrid. "In Malik Tillman we have gained another player who has great ability and is very dangerous in front of goal. He can play in midfield either as a No. 10 or as a No. 8. Malik is an absolute top signing for us," said Leverkusen managing Simon Rolfes. "His style suits Bayer Leverkusen down to the ground. Our attacking game will gain a new boost thanks to Malik's dynamism." Tillman enjoyed a breakout summer with the USMNT, helping Mauricio Pochettino's side reach the Gold Cup final. The German-American scored three goals in the Gold Cup, starting all six of the team's matches. "This club has always played great football. But in the last four or five years Leverkusen have grown enormously and become attractive to a lot of players throughout Europe," Tillman said. "I want to win something. That was my aim in Glasgow and in Eindhoven and it remains my aim here." Tillman returns to Germany after coming up through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich, where he made a handful of senior appearances but failed to break through on a regular basis. The playmaker took in successful loans at Rangers and PSV before joining the Dutch side on a permanent basis ahead of last season.
Mint
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Major League Baseball Is Too Silent on Immigration Raids
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Last week, at the height of the immigration protests convulsing Los Angeles, federal agents showed up at Dodger Stadium, seeking access to the parking lot. Up to that point, the Dodgers had refused to comment on the Trump administration's immigration sweeps and their effect on the city's Latino community. The silence stoked complaints that the team had turned its back on some of its most passionate devotees. By some accounts, Latinos comprise over 40% of Dodger fans. But the morning agents came, the Dodgers finally acted. The team denied them access to the parking lot and a day later announced a $1 million pledge to help immigrant families harmed by the ongoing raids. That's a modest show of support for an organization worth an estimated $7.7 billion, and it hasn't satisfied everyone. But satisfactory or not, it's a clear indication of whose side the Dodgers are taking. Major League Baseball and its 29 other clubs, on the other hand, aren't following the Dodgers' lead, preferring silence. If this is their way of not drawing the ire of President Donald Trump, it's an awkward strategy. Immigration has been essential to baseball's history and continues to fuel its growth. In America's early years, baseball was a new sport for a new country. For immigrants, making a mark on an organized team was an indicator that the player — along with his ethnic group — was upwardly mobile and, finally, an assimilated American. Superstar shortstop and national sensation Honus Wanger, a son of German immigrant parents, was a prime example of this during the late 19th and early 20th century. He uplifted the German-American status, and in his community, he was an icon for making it big. Three-quarters of a century later, Fernando Valenzuela, a Mexican pitcher for the Dodgers, repeated the feat. In 1981, he electrified Los Angeles and his community with a dominant season, including seven complete games and five shutouts, which netted him Rookie of the Year and Cy Young honors (still the only player to win both in the same season).'Fernandomania,' as his early to mid-80s heyday is recalled, was a cultural phenomenon that diversified and drove attendance upward. In 1981, the Dodgers drew an average of 7,500 additional fans when he pitched at home, and an extra 19,000 when he started on the road. Mexican-Americans were an estimated 10% of the team's supporters when he joined the team; now the Dodgers — affectionately known across LA as Los Doyers — are a unifying institution for the city's Latinos. More fans, inevitably, means more kids playing baseball, both at home and abroad. Though there are a range of factors responsible for the growth of baseball internationally, the increase in Latin American and other international players has certainly contributed to the expansion and development of deep international talent pipelines. For MLB teams, bringing that talent to US shores is only constrained by their ability to scout. During the 1930s, a period of notoriously tight immigration restrictions and mass deportations, less than 1% of MLB players were foreign-born. Thankfully, in the post-war period, America decided to open its borders. The result? The number of foreign-born players in the league has seen steady growth over the decades. In 2025, nearly 28% of MLB players are foreign-born, and it's simply impossible to imagine baseball without stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto. Those international stars, in turn, are leading a surge of interest in the game and the business of baseball. MLB is on track for its third straight year of attendance growth, and viewership in the US and Japan is surging in 2025. Of course, other factors are in play too, but does anyone seriously think a less international game would be as well-played, entertaining, and lucrative? Trump's immigration policies put that success at risk. For example, under the terms of his recently enacted travel ban, the issuance of new visas to Cuban and Venezuelan nationals is severely restricted. Dozens of players from both countries — Hall of Famers like Tony Pérez and current players like Jose Altuve — have made prominent contributions to MLB for decades. The new policies will make it far more difficult for teams to bring new signees from either country to the US. But even if loopholes are found, the message to players and their families in these baseball hotbeds is hardly welcoming. So far, MLB has chosen to remain silent on these changes, just as it has clammed up over the deportations that are running through its Latino fanbase. Perhaps the league and its teams believe that quiet diplomacy is the best way to approach the Trump administration on immigration-related matters. But if so, there's little public indication that doing so has achieved anything other than damaging relations between the Dodgers and their fans. Meanwhile, other sports are acting. In mid-June, the players associations for the Women's National Basketball Association and the National Women's Soccer League issued a joint statement of support for immigrants experiencing hardship due to the raids. Angel City FC of the NWSL took it a step further and distributed 10,000 T-shirts to fans and players emblazoned with 'Immigrant City Football Club' on the front. Proceeds from sales of the shirts go to an organization offering legal assistance to immigrants. Of course, no team or sport will convince Trump to change his course on immigration. But by showing solidarity with their fanbases, players and teams strengthen the community connections that are critical to growing sports, and the commerce around them. That's a legacy that can outlast any executive order. It's time for Major League Baseball to step up to the plate. More From Bloomberg Opinion: This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Adam Minter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the business of sports. He is the author, most recently, of 'Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale.' More stories like this are available on
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Game 4 starter Isaiah Hartenstein's Jesus tattoo has again caught fans' attention, sparking huge conversation
Game 4 starter Isaiah Hartenstein's Jesus tattoo has again caught fans' attention, sparking huge conversation (Image Credit: Getty Images) Isaiah Hartenstein not only started Game 4 for the Oklahoma City Thunder but also the discussions surrounding the amazing tattoo he wears on his shoulder. The tattoo speaks of his religious preference. The German-American player got the tattoo inked back in 2023. It was made by a French artist in Toronto. Isaiah's passion for tattoos is well-known. Earlier, he also had net and ball tattoo on his left arm, which carried a motivational quote too. Isaiah Hartenstein's Jesus tattoo had fans swooning Isaiah Hartenstein returned to the starting lineup of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Apart from his performance, one thing that caught everyone's attention was an elaborate Jesus tattoo on his shoulder. His inked arm sparked discussions about the player's choice of tattoo design. The Thunder's center is known for his passion for tattoos. The tattoo covers from the shoulder to mid-arm, giving a stylish look to his bare arms. A previous post on X surfaced as the tattoo discussions became hotter among fans. The fan had posted a view of Hartenstein's inked arm on X; the post read: 'Hartenstein's arm sleeve is incredible, but the top one of Jesus is really spectacular' This post garnered a massive response and had fans talking about his religious beliefs, ethnicity, etc. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo were discussed. One of the fans made an interesting comment, 'Who is the white guy tattooed on His arm? Jesus wasn't a white guy.' 'I was thinking this today, actually one of the nicest I have seen,' was an encouraging response from a fan. Isaiah Hartenstein's Jesus Tattoo - What it means Isaiah Hartenstein's Jesus tattoo is accompanied by thorns and a halo. These were the distinguishing elements of the tattoo. These elements symbolize the eternal light everyone has inside, and the toughness with which one navigates challenges. The tattoo artist, Ossian Staraj, talked about it in his Instagram post, mentioning it took him two days to complete the inking. Appreciating Hartenstein's patience and strong will, Staraj wrote that Isaiah was tough in the pain, tough in the chair, and sat like a rock. Hartenstein got the tattoo in 2023, marking an evolution in his style. He is one of the NBA stars who have their arms inked with biblical references, philosophical thoughts, etc. Jesus tattoo is not the first one Hartenstein got. During his time with the Clippers in 2021, he flaunted an elaborate tattoo covering the outer part of his right arm. His first visible tattoo was inside of the left arm, which also carried text, 'Make every day your own Masterpiece.' Also Read: 'We'll go out there and hunt ourselves' - Isaiah Hartenstein assures Oklahoma City Thunder's confidence for NBA Championship Finals Isaiah got 20 minutes of court time in Game 4, in which he scored 2 points. He got into an altercation with former teammate Obi Toppin when he technically fouled Alex Caruso.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Germany eyes U.S.-EU car tariff deal after Merz-Trump talks
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that he would pursue a deal under which U.S. cars could be imported into Europe duty free in exchange for tariff waivers on the same number of vehicles exported to the U.S. Speaking at an event in Berlin just hours after his inaugural trip to Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, Merz said: 'We have to see if we can come up with an offset rule or something along those lines.' 'We agreed that we will have two representatives between the White House and the chancellery who will now talk intensively with each other about German-American trade relations,' he added. He said trade negotiations with the U.S. remained within the remit of the European Union, however, and that later on Friday he would speak to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to brief her on the outcome of his talks with Trump. The news comes after sources told Reuters last month that Mercedes-Benz and German rivals BMW and Volkswagen were in talks with Washington over a possible import tariff deal. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius told Spiegel in an interview on Thursday that such a mechanism could act as a precedent for other industries.
