Category: grandchildren
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When I first got into the business of being a grandparent–PenPen to my son's and daughter's children–it was at a time when, not surprisingly, many of my friends were starter-grandparents as well. A common topic of conversation–or should I say stress–was the worry that the "other" grandparents would be favored, would be more "loved" than…
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"And then suddenly you turn around and they are all grown up…" This is the lament I found on Facebook by a dad who posted a photo of his daughter dressed up for her high school's Senior Ball, looking sophisticated and ready to take on the world. The posting seemed to capture the moment the…
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Middle- and High School graduations are in high season. Some schools are providing zoom-only events–grandparents can watch from the comfort of their home screens. But with the weather warmed up and the outdoors deemed safe by the CDC, the in-person event is also happening. And we're allowed to attend. School rules vary but last weekend…
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Who says we're stuck in the old ways of doing things? Our roles as grandparents have been keeping step with the times. There's a study with lots of data to show how we've shifted the way we help our grown children and the impact that's had on our grandkids. Teresa Cooney, who analyzed data from…
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The headlines have been reassuring: "Grandparents are getting to hug their grandkids for the first time after getting vaccinated." Well, that's fine for grandparents who live near their grandkids or within driving distance. Those of us who have to fly–well, that's another story. In the best of all possible worlds, we should hold off on…
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Many of us have been proactive when it comes to our handles as grandparents. We feel free to tell our kids–the parents of our grandbabies–what we would like to be called. Whether it's PopPop or Nana or something we make up–I've chosen PenPen–it doesn't feel intrusive or controlling to choose our name. But the naming…
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Thanksgiving is only one of the family get-togethers upended by the coronavirus. Summer vacations, family reunions, birthday celebrations, Father's Day, Mother's Day, even funerals–lots of us have been unable to celebrate or observe any of these in person with our children (and their families) since the coronavirus barged into our lives. How are we coping…
