Are you a typical American grandparent?
There’s a new study out about grandparents. Some of its findings surprised me.
The year in grandparents
In 2018, I wrote about a caravan of grandparents who stormed the Texas-Mexico border to protest Trump’s treatment of migrant children, Gabriel García Márquez’s memories of his grandmother, and many other topics.
We have this woman to thank for Grandparents Day
A housewife from West Virginia fought for years to get a national holiday for grandparents declared. In 1978, she won.
Happy Chanukah!
A New Jersey family marks the holiday each year with lights, cookies, and a party in honor of a long-lost matriarch.
Happy Halloween!
Thanks to Craig and Tina Abernethy of San Diego for submitting this shot of themselves with their granddaughter, Calla, on Halloween last year.
“That’s what grandmas are for”
I love the way Michelle Obama toasted her mom, who moved into the White House to help raise her granddaughters, at a Mother’s Day Tea in 2014.
The ultimate Easter egg
A retired pastry chef in Texas surprised his great-grandchildren on Easter with this one-of-a-kind confection.
The year in grandparents
In 2015, I wrote 75 stories, some of which were more popular than others. Here are the 10 that got the most clicks. Happy reading and happy New Year!
How to interview your grandparents
“Imagine it: During the holidays, instead of using gadgets to ignore each other, we might use them as an excuse to look each other in the eye and listen.”
Here’s to you, Mia
This time of year, I always think of my grandma Mia, who made me feel safe, special, and loved for 22 years.
What grandparents got for Christmas in 1914
Here’s some shopping advice that ran in the New-York Herald Tribune on December 1, 1914 under the headline “Gifts for the Grandparent.”
“Over the river, and through the wood”
The story behind the famous poem about a boy who’s bursting with excitement to see his grandparents on Thanksgiving.
“My grandchildren are the best medicine for whatever might ail me”
When Marsha Boyer was diagnosed with cancer, she feared her grandkids would never know her. Here’s what happened next.
We’ll be speaking hundreds of languages as we eat our turkey
About 20 percent of the United States population speaks a language other than English at home, and a total of 350 languages are spoken here, according to a new report from the Census Bureau.
Do you dream of living near your grandkids?
There are a lot of good reasons to move closer to your grandkids. Then again, there are some good reasons to stay where you are. I asked some grandparents who made the move what happened next.
The Grandmother’s Gallery of Art
A grandma in Massachusetts saves “every single thing” her granddaughters scribble, paint, sculpt, and glue.
First they were playmates. Then they were soulmates.
Lisa Drayer got 40 years with her grandmother. They were never closer than at the end.
How can parents help children and their grandparents connect?
Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin has some ideas.