The best books for grandparents to read
Becoming a grandparent is like a second chance at parenting, and it is full of joy and excitement. For some, however, becoming a grandparent can be a bit daunting.
No matter whether you are excited or feel a bit intimidated by it all, there are lots of grandparenting books which are highly recommended, and in this guide, we take a look at some of the best ones you can read.
Books for grandparents
- The Little Book for Really Really Brilliant Grandparents
- Your First Grandchild: The Survival Guide for every new grandparent
- Becoming Grandma
- The Mindful Grandparent: The Art of Loving Our Children's Children
- Being a Proactive Grandfather
- When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand
The Little Book for Really Really Brilliant Grandparents
Authors: Katharine Hill and Rob Parsons
The Little Book for Really Really Brilliant Grandparents contains light-hearted quotes and sayings, and the authors Katharine Hill and Rob Parsons – both grandparents themselves – offer ideas, strategies and practical tips on this vital role within the family.
Another reason this book is so popular is that you can easily read it in one sitting, or you can dip in and out of the book, too.
The book shares a range of tips, from when you are about to become a grandparent to your relationships with your grandchildren. For example, there is a section of the book dedicated to ‘what not to say’ when your children tell you they are having a baby.
All of these funny quotes and sayings make it one of the best books for grandparents to read.
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Your First Grandchild: The Survival Guide for every new grandparent
This hugely popular book was written by two generations of one family, and it includes some great case studies, tips and practical ideas. The book also covers emotional topics and funny cartoons.
There are so many interesting topics covered in the book and this ranges from a step-by-step guide on how to prepare baby milk to the modern-style of parenting and new technology that is commonly used by younger parents.
There is even advice and support about nappies, car seats, sleep, and how to best support the parents without making their children feel crowded.
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Becoming Grandma
The Becoming Grandma book is a New York Times Bestseller written by Lesley Stahl, one of the US’ most famous journalists. In this book, she looks at how becoming a grandmother can completely change a woman’s life.
Author Lesley Stahl says that her most transforming experience was not covering breaking stories in the White House or interviewing heads of state but becoming a grandmother.
This book takes a deep dive into how becoming a grandmother can really alter a woman’s life and it includes interviews with celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg as well as her colleagues in the media industry.
In addition to sharing insights from other grandmothers, the book includes stories from grandfathers and information from scientists and doctors about the physiological changes that occur in women when they have grandchildren.
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The Mindful Grandparent: The Art of Loving Our Children's Children
The Mindful Grandparent book by Marilyn McEntyre and Shirley Showalter is regarded by many as one of the best books for grandparents.
DeeDee Moore, who is the founder of More Than Grand, a resource that grandparents can use, talks about why the book is a must-read:
“Unlike most books filled with essays on grandparenting, The Mindful Grandparent: The Art of Loving Our Children's Children does more than just muse on the authors’ own experiences. Each chapter ends with suggestions and resources, giving readers room to grow into their own understanding of the topic at hand. For example, the chapter on ‘Grandparent Camp’ shares Shirley’s experience with her own grandchildren and thoughts of why such powerful memories are made during their Grandparent Camp weeks. She then provides ideas for getting more information to plan your own camp for your grandchildren and further reading on making memories.”
A great aspect of this book is that it covers the joys of being a grandparent and the struggles that you may encounter in equal measure.
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Being a Proactive Grandfather
There are lots of books available that focus on becoming a grandmother, but this book written by Richard Eyre looks specifically at becoming a new grandfather.
The Being a Proactive Grandfather book is all any grandfather needs, and as Eyre has around 30 grandchildren, he certainly is someone with lots of experience. In this book, he shares creative and practical ideas in a way that makes you wish you could get started right away.
The book is great for people looking to get some ideas that they can use to help them become grandfathers, as well as for looking at ways you can do activities that might lie outside of your comfort zone.
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When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand
Becoming a grandparent isn’t always fun, and the book When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand highlights this.
This book shares valuable lessons for all grandparents about prioritising the relationship with your grandchild's parents, and despite the name of the book, it is one that can be read by grandmothers and grandfathers alike.
During the writing process, the author, Donne Davis, interviewed 50 mothers to understand better what they needed—and didn’t need—from grandparents. This book, in just a few chapters, shares all of the results and answers.
Donne Davis also runs the GaGa Sisterhood blog, where she, along with a circle of other grandmothers, shares her wisdom and tips about being a grandparent.
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If you are a grandparent or you are soon to become one, then hopefully, these books can help you in your grandparenting journey.
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