The Modern Grandparent's Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to the New Rules of Grandparenting

by Georgia Witkin

Overview

Grandparents today are healthier, more active, and more youthful and young at heart than their predecessors. Dr. Georgia Witkin, senior editor of Grandparents.com, draws on her experience as a psychiatry professor, therapist, and grandparent to help readers be the best grandparent they can be.

They'll learn:

• How to connect with their grandchild-online and off
• How to contribute to their grandchild's emotional development and boost their IQ
• The secret hidden stresses of being a grandparent- and how to deal with them
• The three things they should never say to their son- or daughter-in-laws
• And more!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101559642
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/03/2012
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	271 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Georgia Witkin, Ph.D., is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and director of the Stress Program at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Her articles have appeared in Parade, Reader's Digest, Time, Family Circle, and many other magazines. She maintains a private therapy practice in New York City, where she lives.

Table of Contents

Introduction 15

Chapter 1 What's in a Name? 25

"Granny" Is an Apple. Call Me "GG." 26

Have You Heard This One 31

Chapter 2 The Truth About Grandchildren 34

Baby Talk 35

Boosting Your Grandchild's IQ 37

Only-child Grandchildren 40

Grandtwins! 43

Birth Order Differences 48

Nature Versus Nurture 50

Sibling Rivalry 52

Chapter 3 The Truth About the Parents 56

What Generation Gap? 56

Riding to the Rescue or Not! 61

Finessing Feedback 64

Our Kids' Parenting Styles 66

Chapter 4 Grandparent Rivalry-and How to Win (Secretly) 78

The Art of Spoiling 80

The Secrets of Favorite Grandparents 83

Successful Sleepovers 85

Perfect Presents 92

A Reminder 99

Chapter 5 Grandmothers-in-law and the Three Things They Should Never Say 100

Mother-in-law's Guide to Getting Along with Your DIL 103

Is There Anything We Should Say? 105

The Real State of the Union-How We Feel About DILs! 107

Improving Your MIL-DIL Relationship 110

Should Mothers-in-law Be in the Delivery Room? 113

Your Daughter-in-law's Mother 116

You and Your Son-in-law (SIL) 120

Chapter 6 Having Favorites-and Other Guilt Trips 123

Guilty: You Play Favorites 124

Guilty: You Get Bored 127

Guilty: You Love Them Too Much 128

Guilty: You Don't Think You Live Close Enough 130

Guilty: You're Not Perfect 133

10 Secrets to Guiltless Grandparenting 135

Grandpa's Second Chance 138

Chapter 7 Grandmoney 141

Teach Your Grandchildren to Save 142

Teach Your Grandchildren "It's Better to Give Than to Receive" 145

Grandparents' Money Mistakes 148

Basic Money Tips 160

Chapter 8 Home Alone with the Grandkids 162

House Rules 164

Eating or How Long Can My Grandchildren Exist on Just Pizza? 166

Playing Outside ... or Is It Time to Go Inside Yet? 168

Scary Movies ... or Tell Me When It's Over! 171

Responding to Rudeness ... or He Said What? 173

Disappointing Gifts ... or Say Thank You! 175

White Lies ... or You Didn't Tell the Truth, Grandpa! 175

Manners Matter ... or Who Do Those Children Belong To? 177

Gaming ... or Just One More Level, Pleeeaaase! 179

The Santa Controversy or Did I See You in the Living Room Last Night, Grandpa? 181

Bottom Line on Babysitting 185

Chapter 9 After the Divorce (Not Just Yours) 187

The "Ex" 192

D-I-V-O-R-C-E 192

After the Divorce: Blending 197

After the Divorce: Mending 202

Your Own Divorce 206

Your New Relationship 210

Chapter 10 Hidden Grandparenting Stresses 213

Hidden Grandparenting Stress #1: Changes in Routine 214

Hidden Grandparenting Stress #2: Fear of Failure 218

Hidden Grandparenting Stress #3: Loss of Control 222

Grandparent Overload 223

Special Grandparenting Stresses 228

They're Baaa-a-ack: Multigenerational Living 234

The Sandwich Generation 237

Grandmother Versus Grandfather Stress 239

Stress Relievers 242

Chapter 11 Your Way 247

Finding Your Way 248

Which Type Are You? 250

Happiness Training 255

10 Ways Grandparents Get Bette Every Year! 262

Making "Our Way" a Better Way 265

Appendix A Famous Grandparents 269

Appendix B Grandparent Quote Quiz 277

Appendix C A New Mother-in-law's Toast 281

Acknowledgments 283