Grandparenting

Sue Johnson

Sue Johnson, an honors graduate of Wheaton College, is the founder of Heartstrings Press, and co-author of 5 editions of the award-winning Grandloving: Making Memories with Your Grandchildren. She has also operated Gramma’s Graphics, Inc., a mail-order business specializing in blueprinting and sunprinting kits, for the past thirty years. A mother of three, grandmother of six, and an honorary mother of eight exchange students, Sue is passionate about family. When her initial Grandloving query to 150 of their friends snowballed into 350 responses, Sue knew she'd struck a chord with enthusiastic grandparents. As a long-distance grandmother, she uses ideas from her years as a teacher to enliven communications with her grandchildren. Sue has become known as a contemporary grandparenting expert, serves as a judge for the prestigious Mom's Choice Award, and helps families connect. She and Rick, her husband of 49 years, live in Lancaster, Virginia.

Guess what? We're having a baby!

There is a sea change in relationships the moment a first grandchild is born. Parents are now grandparents; children are now parents. Everyone has different expectations about where to place the proper priorities in their new roles.

Long-Distance Snuggling

If you haven’t yet been the discouraged grandparent, you can remember being the bored child on the other end of the line. It’s the phoniest phone call ever, but with some tips, your relationship with your grandchild can actually improve.

Your Grandchild’s First Visit

Your new grandbaby is coming for his first visit. It has been years since you’ve had an infant in the house, but think back to what was essential and try to make the visit comfortable for the new mom as well as that precious bundle.

Introducing Your “Babies”

You’ve spent months training your puppy, and you feel wonderful about your accomplishments. Then, your new grandchild comes to visit. Suddenly you wonder if you’ve spent enough time pulling his tail and ears or ruffling his whiskers.

Making Meaningful Gifts

What’s a grandparent to do? The grandkids seem to have every toy imaginable.The toy stores and catalogs are overwhelming, and your pocketbook is shrinking. But don’t despair...with some easy, inexpensive ideas, you can be the coolest grandparent.

When the Grandkids Come to Visit

Grandchildren can be little whirlwinds of energy, and keeping up with them—or keeping them under control—can be a daunting challenge. But in fact, grandparents have been dealing with this forever, and a few simple plans make all the difference.

Heartfelt Holidays

Here are ten tips that can help make the holidays you spend with your grandchildren more memorable—and stress-free—for all concerned.

Tweens & Teens

Being a loving grandparent for a very young child, as challenging as it may seem, is in many ways the easy part of the job. How do you deal with the same child when growing self-awareness and independence begins to assert itself?

Pack Your Bags!

Traveling to visit small grandchildren can be a big investment in time, money, and especially expectations. Hitting it off just right is important. With these tips, you’ll be the guest they’ll want back again and again!