What’s new in the Wonderful World of Grandparenting?
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.
(Un)Helpful Grandparents: When Good Intentions Go Awry
Grandparents' good intentions can sometimes have unintended consequences for parents. Learn why parents complain about grandparents overstepping boundaries when they try to help. Avoid friction and resentment by understanding parent needs and respecting their boundaries. Gain insights from relatable stories and practical tips and find out what an outhouse has to do with grandparents being unhelpful.
“Grandma’s House, Grandma’s Rules”
Discover why popular grandparenting quotes can lead you astray and harm your relationship with your grandchildren and their parents. Explore the problems behind sayings about grandparents like "Grandma's house, Grandma's rules," "Grandparenting is a do-over," "Grandparents and grandchildren get along so well because they have a common enemy," and "Spoil 'em and send 'em home."
Meal-Prep Party: How to Shower New Parents with Meals
Grandparents can help new parents by organizing a meal-prep shower! This practical twist on a baby shower is a creative way to celebrate a new baby’s arrival and help parents at the same time. A meal-prep party is an especially thoughtful way to celebrate a 2nd or 3rd baby’s birth. Read on for how to plan a meal-prep baby shower for a new parent.
10 Tiny Things You Need if You Take Your Grandkids Anywhere
What should a prepared grandparent keep in their purse or pocket? If you want to be prepared for any occasion, read our list of suggested items to have on hand when you take your grandchild anywhere. From small toys to emergency items, these 10 things should be in every grandparent’s bag of tricks.
4 Ways to Show New Parents You Care
New parents need love and encouragement, but grandparents often focus all their efforts on the new baby. Showing love for your grandchildren shouldn’t replace showing love for your children, so here are some simple ways to show new parents how much you care.
Hospital Etiquette for Grandparents
Should you visit the hospital when your new grandbaby is born? If so, what do you need to know? Our list of the do’s and don’ts of hospital visits will help grandparents who want to go to the hospital when their new grandchild is born. You’ll want to read our tips before you plan a visit to your new grandchild and his or her parents.
Handling Holiday Disappointment
Learn how to handle disappointment about your children's holiday plans as a grandparent and set the tone for future holidays by communicating your expectations early on and adjusting them if necessary. Follow the do's and don'ts outlined in this post to express your feelings without making your children feel guilty.
Should Grandparents Share Their Own Birth Stories?
Sharing stories is one of the most important things grandparents can do. But should you share your stories of being a new parent? Discover what information to share and what not to share, and how to ask the right questions to encourage healthy communication and respect boundaries. Find out why it's important to consider your biases and focus on information that will be helpful.
How to be a Grandnanny
What’s a grandnanny? Many grandparents help out with childcare, either regularly or occasionally. A grandnanny takes it ones step further: Instead of hiring a nanny, the parents plan with the grandparents to provide part or all of the childcare. Read this blog post by author and educator Shirley Showalter to see if being a grandnanny might be right for your family.
Navigating Cultural Differences
Learn how to respect family culture as a grandparent in our latest blog post. From navigating cultural differences to embracing new traditions, we discuss the importance of celebrating each family's unique customs and values. Being open, curious, and respectful can lead to a closer relationship with your grandchildren. Join us in embracing diversity and supporting our families as they create their own unique family culture.
When Grandma Takes Over
Grandparents need to find the delicate balance of helping out without shutting out either parent. Read on to find out how grandparents can help new parents and still make sure parents benefit from the early days of bonding with their new baby.