We cover topics that matter to grandparents - and parents - such as concrete ways to help new parents, understanding new trends in child care, and meaningful ways to connect the generations. The resources and products we offer foster open communication, encourage healthy boundaries, and equip new grandparents with the tools they need to become a supportive partner to their grandchild's parents. Sign up for our newsletter to find out why grandparenting isn't about spoiling the grandkids anymore. Parents welcome!
Do you have a family holiday?
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Hello, Reader! It’s quiet right now at my house. Actually, it’s quiet in my house every morning. I almost always wake up before Pops, and I start the day with just the birds and an occasional passing car. It’s such a peaceful part of the day: drinking my tea, watching the swallows darting over the lake, playing all the NY Times word games. It’s a different kind of quiet this morning: the quiet of anticipation. Our daughters started arriving on Sunday, so there are sleeping people upstairs. Tonight, our son and his family arrive, and we’ll have a full house tomorrow. When our son first got married, we all agreed the 4th of July would be our time to gather as a family. Travel is easier in the summer, and even if it weren’t, summer at the lake is worth the trip. It’s the one time of year we ask all of our kids to try to show up, and so far they are all willing to do so. Willing, but not always able: there are years someone has a conflict, and that’s okay. The years that we don’t have everyone here make the years that we do more special. It’s not realistic to expect our adult children to want to spend every holiday with us. Their lives are bigger than just our family, and that’s as it should be. Based on what I see on parent forums and social media, there are a lot of grandparents who get hung up on having all their children and grandchildren with them for every holiday, from Mother’s Day to Christmas. But I want my adult children to spend with us because they want to, not because they worry that I’ll be upset if they don’t. We still regularly get together for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, but those are usually filled with extended family and other obligations. The beginning of July is just for us. We’ll have dinners on the deck, go on boat rides and hikes in the woods, and watch sunsets and fireworks. And make new memories. I’d love to hear how your family handles holiday expectations. Have you been able to let go of the idea of having all your kids and grandkids together for special occasions, or is it something you are still struggling with? Do you have an alternate family gathering time? Please hit reply and let me know! Warm regards, P.S. Amazon’s Prime Day is coming up, and there are going to be some great deals for grandparents who are Prime members! Check out our Amazon shop, and sign up for a Prime membership while you are there! Does your grandchild have a birthday in July? Find the perfect gift for grandkids of all ages. DeeDee Moore | Founder, More Than Grand LLC | morethangrand.com |
Calling all new grandparents! (and parents, too!)
We cover topics that matter to grandparents - and parents - such as concrete ways to help new parents, understanding new trends in child care, and meaningful ways to connect the generations. The resources and products we offer foster open communication, encourage healthy boundaries, and equip new grandparents with the tools they need to become a supportive partner to their grandchild's parents. Sign up for our newsletter to find out why grandparenting isn't about spoiling the grandkids anymore. Parents welcome!
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