Dear Reader,

Earlier this week, my daughter-in-law and I were on the phone and she caught me off guard. “Next week is spring break, and the kids want to come visit you guys!”

I was thrilled, but I didn’t immediately say yes. I was driving at the time, so I told her I’d check with Pops and our calendar and let her know as soon as I could.

Meanwhile, my mind started racing to figure out if it was logistically possible. Did we have any commitments that would interfere? Would I have time in my schedule to get all the beds made and meals planned? I’m trying to take a lot of time off next month, so I’m essentially doing two months’ worth of work this month—losing a few days is more significant than usual.

You won’t be surprised to hear that Pops and I agreed it would work, and that we are both completely looking forward to their visit.

But what really excited me? That of all the things they could choose to do over spring break, they wanted to come to our house.

What do you remember of your grandparent’s house? Did they have books or toys you remember? I remember a book about Jenny the cat at my grandparent’s house, though not anything else. I do remember how I felt there, however. They lived in a big house with a good-sized garden, and it always felt like an adventure to be there. It seemed like it was filled with treasures to discover, and I remember being a bit in awe of everything from watching my grandmother put on her eye makeup to feeling my first earthquake. I loved going there.

How do you create a home that your grandchildren are eager to visit? I think making them feel welcome is the key. Spaces that are safe for them to explore signal that. So do toys and books they know will always be there. Putting up their artwork and having their photos displayed shows you think of them all the time. Small rituals have a big pull, too. I am pretty sure Donut Friday is one of the main draws for our house.

I’m writing a blog post about this for later this month, and I’d love to hear from you: what have you done to make your grandchildren feel welcome in your home? Would you take a moment to hit reply and share your ideas?

And now I have a lot of beds to make! If you don’t get an email from me next week, you’ll know why.

Warm regards,
DeeDee

P.S. Another key to creating a welcoming home welcome is making sure parents feel they can relax. Read my latest blog post on babyproofing to see what you might have overlooked!

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

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