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Hello, Reader! Ah, February! The month we make a concerted effort to let people know that we love them! Also: the month that retailers tempt us with a zillion heart-shaped things that our grandchildren DO NOT NEED! They don’t need another stuffed animal. They don’t need heart-covered PJ’s. They just need to know that you love them, and there are far better ways to tell them than giving them gifts for every occasion. The best way is to give them your time and attention, and I shared some ways to do that over on the blog in 5 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day with Your Grandchild. Personally, I think one of the most enduring ways to express your love for your grandchild is actually spelling it out it a letter. That’s one reason I created the Grandparent Love Letters templates: because a monthly letter is a way to make letting your grandchild know how special they are a regular routine. There is nothing like a physical piece of mail to make someone’s day—tell me if you don’t find it uplifting to get a card from a friend! Even if you live next door to your grandchild, delighting them with a written reminder of why you love them is something they can hold on to. If you think your grandchild is too young for letters, I’d disagree. It’s never too soon to start sharing your stories, your hopes, and your love for this special person. And doing that regularly not only helps you create a habit, but it gives your grandchild a collection of evidence that they matter to you. (Did you see my blog post about writing keepsake letters?) So when you make that Target run this week, keep walking when you pass the pink and red at the entrance. If you have to give in to temptation, do it in the greeting card aisle, and make sure to write a special note to your grandchild inside the card. Warm regards, P.S. Make sure to send your adult children valentines, too! They need to hear how much they mean to you, as well. DeeDee Moore | Founder, More Than Grand LLC | morethangrand.com Don't like how your name shows up in the salutation? Need to change your email address? Update your profile |
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Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.~ Dalai Lama Each Saturday, we send you a roundup of articles and resources that will help you be a better grandparent. We may receive a commission for purchases made through affiliate links in this email. This is an easy and much appreciated way for you to support More Than Grand! Growing as a Grandparent Dale Atkins, licensed psychologist and author of the children's book “The Turquoise Butterfly,” joined TODAY with a look at the importance...
Dear Reader, So many of you wrote me to say you appreciated reading Rebecca’s story last week. (If you missed her letter, you can read it here.) I’m glad it moved you as much as it did me. I had a busy extended weekend with a trip to visit family and celebrate birthdays, so I didn’t get to respond to all of you. I wanted to follow up here, because several of you asked the same thing: “Can you tell me exactly what Rebecca shared with her daughter-in-law?” The answer is no, I can’t. Partly...
Dear Reader, I’m doing something a little different today and sharing a letter I got a couple of weeks ago. It’s an emotional testament to the power of being open to learning and growing. I’m so grateful to Rebecca, who not only shared her experience with me but also gave me permission to share it with you. Here is her story (lightly edited for clarity): “I’ve been a grandparent for almost 9 years. Our daughter became an instant step-parent when she married our precious son-in-law, who...