Michelle Curtis, a millennial, felt abandoned when her boomer mom, whom she expected to help raise her children, asked to be paid for babysitting and later quit to spend more time with her husband. Curtis attributes her challenges as a parent to her mom's helicopter parenting, which made her less self-reliant. She is consciously raising her kids to be more independent and accountable, in contrast to her own upbringing, and believes that boomer grandparents should commit to helping with grandkids and be less focused on their own interests.
Slate's advice column features a grandmother frustrated by limited access to her grandchild, a mother-in-law repeatedly offering help with bedtime routine, a wife concerned about her husband's 24/7 use of a cock ring, and a woman navigating financial power dynamics with her partner ahead of a cross-country move.
A grandmother who has been providing full-time childcare for her granddaughter for four years seeks advice on how to transition back to her own life without causing drama or hurt feelings. She faces resistance from her daughter, who is concerned about the impact of her leaving. The advice given emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, asserting autonomy, and encouraging the daughter to become self-reliant. The grandmother is encouraged to communicate her needs and plans clearly while being supportive and understanding of her daughter's transition to finding alternative childcare.
John Baginski, a 76-year-old retired chemical engineer, refuses to be called "grandpa" despite having three grandchildren and one on the way. He prides himself on his active lifestyle, which includes long motorcycle trips, kayaking, and cycling, and prefers to be seen as more than just a traditional grandparent.
A study conducted by experts at Johanes Gutenberg University found that becoming a grandparent can boost brainpower, reduce the risk of depression in later life, and keep men and women more active. However, the positive effects on physical and mental health depend on the amount of work taken on. Women who looked after their grandchildren every day had worse wellbeing, possibly due to it becoming burdensome. Close contact with grandchildren, such as speaking to them regularly, improved memory and reduced depression symptoms in grandmothers. Grandparents who never babysat their grandchildren experienced a decline in wellbeing, while those who looked after them daily without their parents saw an average decline in wellbeing compared to before becoming a grandparent.
A woman in a long-term relationship is feeling lonely as her partner prioritizes his role as a grandfather, leaving little time for their own activities together. She has started seeking companionship elsewhere, but feels guilty about it. Amy advises her to communicate her feelings honestly and pursue her own interests. In another letter, a woman struggling with infertility expresses difficulty in being genuinely happy for expectant mothers. Amy suggests accepting her own emotions and discussing her history with her friend. Lastly, Amy advises a parent to help their upset teenage son process his feelings rather than denigrating him.
A grandmother is torn between continuing her part-time job or becoming a full-time babysitter for her son and daughter-in-law. While she acknowledges the appeal of spending more time with her grandkids, she values the flexibility and social connections her job provides. She wonders if it would be selfish to decline the offer. In another letter, a reader seeks advice on how to address their great-aunt's habit of buying ill-fitting clothes for their children. Lastly, a reader shares their fear of flying and contemplates whether to inform their supervisor about it, potentially risking their job. Suggestions are given to manage the fear before disclosing it at work.
A grandma sought advice on Reddit about her parenting style and whether she was too old to care for her 7-month-old granddaughter. She expressed her efforts to follow her son's recommendations from parenting books but felt criticized by him. Younger parents offered support, suggesting that her son's reactions may stem from his own anxiety as a new parent. A Ph.D. candidate emphasized the importance of being sensitive to the baby's cues and offering a supportive response. The grandma expressed her dedication and love for her granddaughter, wanting to be a positive influence in her life.
A 75-year-old woman who recently moved next door to her son's family to spend time with her grandkids is seeking advice on how to handle her daughter-in-law's strict rules. While she feels the rules are unnecessary and take away from her joy, she acknowledges the need to honor them. She specifically wants to address the issue of her gifts not being opened promptly. However, the columnist advises against trying to assert control and suggests focusing on being a supportive and involved grandmother instead.
A concerned grandmother is troubled by her granddaughter's participation in a sexualized cheerleading program and wants to protect her childhood. However, the parents have made it clear that they do not want any input or support. The advice columnist suggests that the grandmother should maintain a healthy relationship with her granddaughter and try to understand the parents' values, even if they differ from her own. She can express her concerns, but should be prepared for a negative reaction. In another question, a person moving to a new town wonders if they should bake brownies to introduce themselves to their neighbors, but the columnist suggests starting with friendly waves and joining community groups instead. Lastly, the columnist responds to a reader's amusement over a graduation party invitation that expanded to include congratulations for a sibling's job promotion, stating that a gift is not necessary in such a situation.
A concerned grandmother seeks advice on how to approach her son and daughter-in-law about her concerns regarding their 3-year-old daughter's participation in a pee-wee "cheer" program that she believes sexualizes young girls. The grandmother, who has respected her son and daughter-in-law's wishes for no input or support, is unsure how to advocate for her granddaughter's childhood. The advice columnist suggests maintaining a healthy relationship with the child's parents while expressing concerns, but warns that the parents may react negatively.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson shared their secret to being good grandparents at the "Asteroid City" premiere in New York City. They emphasized the importance of spending time and attention on their grandchildren, getting involved in their activities, and making their macaroni and cheese perfectly. The couple has three grandchildren and their son Colin Hanks has previously joked that they are "OK" grandparents who often give the kids sugar and then conveniently give them back.
Experts claim that King Charles III wants his grandchildren, specifically Prince William's children, to avoid making the same mistakes he made as a young royal. He wants them to grow up as normal as possible and create more fully rounded human beings who are unafraid of their emotions and who are able to have the confidence to marry whom they want. Charles' grandparenting philosophy is more based on Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, since they're active royal members already, instead of his two other grandchildren from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry named Archie and Lilibet.
Experts claim that King Charles III wants his grandchildren, specifically Prince William's children, to avoid making the same mistakes he made as a young royal. He wants them to grow up as normal as possible and become fully rounded human beings who are unafraid of their emotions and have the confidence to marry whom they want. He is allegedly taking extra steps to build the confidence of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Charles' grandparenting philosophy is more based on William and Kate Middleton's children since they are active royal members already, instead of his two other grandchildren from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry named Archie and Lilibet.
