Grandparents

Autism and a gentleman’s gentleman

Allison Ziering Walmark — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:00:00 -0700

The year 1924 marked many historical events with significant impact on the world. However, the biggest event of the year in the eyes of this columnist was the birth of her father.

How do you handle overbearing grandparents?

Monica Beyer — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:00:00 -0800

Grandmas and grandpas are treasures in a child’s life, but when they become a little too involved or judge their own child’s parenting, it can be extremely hard to handle. How can you tell Grandma to back off without hurting your relationship?

How to handle mom drama during the holidays

Lisa Steinke — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:00:00 -0800

Your daughter has been begging to see Grandma and wants to know not if — but when — she’s coming over for the holidays. But you and your mother haven’t exactly been getting along and the idea of setting a place for her at the holiday dinner table makes you more than a little anxious. So how should you handle your drama with your mom without hurting your kids?

Involve grandparents in holiday celebrations

Maria Mora — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 09:00:00 -0800

The holidays are a perfect opportunity to gather your extended family. Give your parents and in-laws a chance to be involved in your kids’ lives with these fun holiday activities. The best gift you can give grandparents is the chance to spend time with your kids.

9 Best grandparent gifts

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:30:00 -0800

With all the spoiling grandparents do, it's only fitting to shower them with gifts from the heart that honor their role in your kids' lives -- even when it's undermining your authority! From birthstone jewelry to personalized gift ideas, these nine best grandparent gifts will let the grandma and grandpa in your life know they are loved.

Now the kids won't pout when they get kicked out

Lisa Steinke — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:00:00 -0800

It's the holidays again and as great as it is to get together with family, it can mean a lot of bodies under one roof. And usually it's the kids who are displaced. Why not surprise the kids with fun, alternate sleeping arrangements that are so good they'll be begging Grandma to take their room.

Having a baby when you don’t have a mom

Monica Beyer — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:00:00 -0700

If you lost your own mother before you became a parent, it can be truly bittersweet to go through pregnancy, birth and the baby years without your mom being there for advice or simply to bask in the joy of a grandchild. We talk with moms who have been through parenthood without their own mothers by their sides.

When grandparents are divorced

Ami Burns — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:00:00 -0700

"Why are Grandma and Grandpa divorced?" is a tough question, but we have answers. Here's what you need to know about everything from navigating family events to knowing how much to share — or not share — about family dynamics when your child's grandparents are divorced.

Grandparents Day crafts and activities for kids

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:00:00 -0700

Looking for a way to help your kids shower your parents on Grandparents Day? From activities for grandparents and grandkids that offer a peek into your parents' past to craft ideas that are easy to do, check out these four Grandparents Day crafts and activities for kids.

Plan a special Grandparents Day

Molly Cerreta Smith — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:00:00 -0700

There is something so special about the grandchild-grandparent relationship... Why not celebrate it? Make this Grandparents Day extra special for your parents and your children by planning a fun outing for the whole family. Check out these fun ideas and activities to make the day fun for everyone this year.

Keep your kids connected with their grandparents

Lisa Steinke — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:00:00 -0700

There is nothing more special than the relationship between your parents and your children, don't you agree? But, if the grandparents in your kids' lives live in another city or even another state, it can be harder to keep that connection strong. Here are tips for making sure kids and grandparents stay close, even when they're far away, including Skyping and sending a journal back and forth.

Big Miracle star Ted Danson values the importance of being close to family

Kori Ellis — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800

Actor Ted Danson is one of the many wonderful actors appearing in the new feel-good film Big Miracle. Recently Danson sat down with a group of bloggers to talk about the movie and a variety of other subjects -- including becoming a grandfather.

5 Holiday gift ideas from kids to grandma and grandpa

Kori Ellis — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:30:00 -0800

Grandma and grandpa spoil your kids all year long. This holiday season, give them a special gift from your children. Consider one of these heartfelt holiday gift ideas from kids to their grandparents.

Growing trend: Grandparents raising children

Naomi de la Torre — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:30:00 -0800

The statistics are startling. In the U.S. alone, more than 4.9 children are being raised by grandparents. Even more alarming, this number has more than doubled in the past 10 years. In her thought-provoking book, The Sacred Work of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Elaine K. Williams offers tools, suggestions and insights for parenting grandparents and other kinship caregivers.

Your ex-in-laws and your children

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:00 -0700

Kids in divorce can be dragged through a lot of turmoil, but when your ex-mother-in-law and ex-father-in-law are there to cushion the effects of the situation, the benefits to your children can be endless. From keeping things civil to encouraging your kids to confide in grandparents, get tips on how to continue the relationship between your ex-in-laws and your children post divorce.

How to deal when you're not ready to be a grandma

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:32:00 -0700

Despite the fact that you feel too young to be welcoming a grandbaby into the family, ready or not, grandmotherhood is still staring you in the face. So what are you to do when you're not ready for your new role? Before you spin off into crisis mode at the realization of becoming a new grandma, get tips on how to deal when you're not ready to be a grandma, from focusing on how active you can be along side your grandkiddo to cute nicknames for young, hip grandmas-to-be.

How to retrain your child after visiting grandparents

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:04:00 -0700

When you get your kids back from a visit with grandma and grandpa, do you really have to live with the spoiled little grandchildren they've become? Take heart; there's no need to give up that valuable babysitting resource just yet. Before you swear off future visits between children and grandparents, discover five tips on how to retrain your child after visiting grandparents.

How to confront overbearing grandparents

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:31:00 -0700

Whether they're your parents or your partner's parents, communicating with grandparents who refuse to follow the rules you set for your kiddos is no easy feat. So, how do you guide the relationship your children and grandparents have without waging a huge family war? From how to communicate your rules on parenting to taking your parents' feelings into consideration, find out how to confront overbearing grandparents the right way.

Ideas for day trips with the grandkids

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 07:33:00 -0700

When your grandchildren are old enough to spend some quality time away from mom and dad, taking them on a day trip is one of the joys of being a grandparent. When traveling with children, you may be looking for activities that won't wear you out. From low-key activities like a train ride to active options like a pick-your-own produce farm, discover fun ideas for day trips with the grandkids.

4 Ways for kids to bond with grandparents

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:50:00 -0700

Short visits with the grandparents are great for grandkids, but you can help the kids strengthen the bond between generations with a few fun activities. From having your kids interview grandma and grandpa about their childhood to helping children and grandparents start new family traditions, discover four ways for kids to bond with grandparents.

120 Top nicknames for grandparents

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:50:00 -0700

One of the most important roles a parent can take is becoming a grandparent, so what title should mark such an important role? From traditional names for grandma like Grams, to fun nicknames for grandpa like Hee Haw, here are 120 top nicknames for grandparents.