What’s new in the Wonderful World of Grandparenting?
The Importance of Grandparents’ Stories
Do you know the power of sharing family stories with your grandchildren? Explore the benefits of these cherished narratives, from building strong relationships to imparting values and life lessons. Learn how storytelling enhances your grandchild's sense of belonging and well-being. Dive into the 'Do You Know...?' scale and find inspiration for your own family tales.
8 Books to Help Repair Relationships
If you are struggling with problems with in-laws, contending with ignored boundaries, or dealing with difficult or toxic family members, read on. We’ve put together a list of books that have proven helpful for others as they work to improve their family relationships. While a book is no substitute for professional counseling or therapy, it can be an important first step in understanding where the issues lie.
When Cultural Traditions Meet Modern Boundaries
“I come from a big Greek family where grandparents were an important part of children's lives, but my children's rules and boundaries are so strict that I feel as if I'm on the sidelines. I want to be a part of my grandchildren's lives! What can I do to play a bigger role?” ~YiaYia Maria
Welcome to the first installment of Grand Advice, where we answer questions from real grandparents.
Your Grandchild’s Birth: Are You Invited?
As excited as they may be, grandparents should not assume they are welcome at the birth of their grandchild. Grandparents who are hoping to be present for their grandchild’s birth must first find out if parents want them there. Read on to find out what to do if you are invited to witness your grandchild’s birth, and what to do if you are not.
What Grandparents Need to Know: Toy Safety
Those toys you’ve been saving may have hidden hazards. Discover essential toy safety tips and get our toy safety checklist. Learn about old toy hazards, age range recommendations, and new toy safety guides for gifts for your grandchildren. Keep your grandchildren safe when you choose toys!
Helping New Parents Prepare for the Fourth Trimester
Grandparents can play a crucial role in helping parents plan for the fourth trimester. Discover the importance of postpartum planning and the areas that can be made less stressful with a solid plan. Learn about feeding strategies, sleep solutions, mental health awareness, and more for new parents in the postpartum weeks.
Gadgets for Long Distance Grandparenting
One of the things that most grandparents look forward to is being an active part of their grandchild’s life, and being a long-distance grandparent makes that far more difficult. Thanks to technology, , it’s not impossible to connect with your grandchildren on a regular basis. Check out our favorite products that help you be a part of your grandchild’s daily life.
Celebrating Your Grandchild’s New School Year
The start of a new school year is always exciting for our grandchildren, especially if this is their first year of preschool or kindergarten. As grandparents, we have the opportunity to make this time of year a touchpoint for connection. Read on for ways to celebrate with them while building a stronger bond.
New Grandma’s Biggest Mistake
What’s the biggest mistake a new grandmother can make? Donne Davis, founder of the GaGa Sisterhood, shares it with us in this post, along with her L.O.V.E formula for building a loving bond with your grandchild’s parents. If you are a new or expectant grandparent, you’ll want to read on to make sure you avoid this common grandparenting mistake.
What Grandparents Need to Know about Food Neutrality
If your grandchild’s parents have been serving cookies with dinner or asking you to stop commenting on how picky Junior is, this post is for you. Food neutrality is a hot topic among parents, who are trying to break the generational cycle of disordered eating. Learn about what food neutrality, disordered eating, and why your grandchildren may be able to have a healthier relationship with food than past generations.
3 Lessons from My Grandchildren’s Visit
Every visit from the grandchildren teaches me just a little bit more about how to prepare for the next one. In this post, I share three things I learned after they spent four days at our house. Read on for wisdom you might be able to use when your grandchildren visit your house. There’s a lot you can do in advance to make visits from your grandchildren go smoothly!
New Parents Need a Village
More than anything else, new parents need a supportive village. Grandparents are a natural source of emotional support, practical assistance, and wisdom that can uplift and strengthen exhausted parents. The key is to approach the grandparent-parent relationship with love, understanding, and effective communication. Find out how to foster positive intergenerational relationships to become an essential part of your grandchild's village.