Grandparenting advice with a helping of humor


A message today from the Go-To Grandma herself, Kathy Buckworth. DeeDee will be back next week!

Dear More Than Grand Community:

As the author of six parenting books, and the parent of four actual (grown) children, I thought being a grandma was going to be easy. But I had neglected to consider a few important things.

1) I’m their grandma, not their mother. There is a huge distinction in the roles, and I’d have to learn how to be a grandma.

2) My daughter was a first-time mom at the same time I became a first-time grandma. We both had to find our way.

3) I raised my kids in the 90’s and early 00’s. My first grandchild was born four months before the pandemic lockdown began, in 2020. This changed a world which was already evolving a great deal.

4) Social media. I didn’t have it as a new parent; they do.

5) I don’t make the rules, I follow the rules. As an A type autocratic parent this wasn’t going to be the easiest thing to adapt to.

I’ve always approached learning with humour, and this new book of mine is no different. “What a Big Mouth You Have, Grandma”* addresses the new grandparenting (and parenting) world we live in, and how we can strive to have the best relationship not only with our grandkids, but first and foremost with our kids. It’s a gentle prod to remind us that unsolicited advice isn’t always welcome.

Who doesn’t remember the age of Helicopter Parenting? Snowplough Parenting? Remember what our parents thought of that? Today it’s Gentle Parenting and Permissive Parenting. Theories have evolved and changed, as the world around us has also shifted. New parents are dealing with different pressures, as are new grandparents. Together we can help each other manage through, with the collaborate goal of making our world a better place for our grandkids.

We’ve gone from being “in the trenches” of parenting, to sitting “on the benches” in more of a coaching mode. And there’s no place I’d rather be sitting.

What happens at Grandma’s house no longer stays at Grandma’s house; it’s in this book. Happy reading!

Kathy
*affliiate link

“What A Big Mouth You Have, Grandma” is Kathy Buckworth’s seventh book. She is the creator and host of the “Go-To Grandma” podcast and has written hundreds of articles for national publications on parenting and grandparenting. She is a regular contributor to morning television shows across Canada. Visit www.bigmouthgrandma.com

DeeDee Moore | Founder, More Than Grand LLC | morethangrand.com

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