The Grand Life: Wholehearted Grandparenting

After months of one-a-week and years of podcasting, Emily and Mike are changing the tempo and starting a new endeavor, Speak-E-Z--a grandparent-confidentila online meeting series. Come join us at our Patreon page for Speak-E-Z . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We in the Club Sandwich Generation are caring for our aging parents as well as our kids and grandkids. Many of those aging parents want to "age in place," in homes that aren't properly set up for older folks to live alone. Architect Paul Spite has written about how to navigate these changes, like modifying a home to help our elders age in place, and to soften the pride and resistance that can get in the way. RESOURCES Paul's book is Renovations to Enable Aging in Place. He's also created a YouTube video summarizing his book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine having a book club with your grands--doesn't that sound like fun? Emily and Mike visit with a mother-and-son team who literally co-wrote the book on how to do this, from inside a book club that met for 11 years (until their kids left for college). RESOURCES Michelle and Ronan McCann are two of the authors of "Reading Together," available here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When infant grands come to visit, do they need baby gear you no longer have? BabyQuip to the rescue. Mike and Emily talk with Kelly Inglett, a provider for BabyQuip, a service that can rent you exactly what you need, where and when you need it. Their web presence is here, and there are links there to their mobile app for iOS and Android. BabyQuip is offering our listeners a promo code, TGL20, to save $20 off any reservation of $100 or more. (Not an affiliate link, does not benefit us--only you!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Diana Raab's passion is to help others discover the transformative power of memoir writing. She's written 13 books herself along her own journey of healing from her difficult past. We talk with Diana about her life and her latest book. Learn more at her web site. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gloria Horsley and Frank Powers are a pair! Therapists, co-authors, each previously married, and now dating, they're generous advocates of finding love later in life. Their helpful new book "Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating" launches on Valentine's Day. We had a fun conversation with these lively, open-hearted grandparents. Their book is available here. Find out more about them at datingdoctors.org and their mission to support surviving spouses at opentohope.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Grunenwald has created a merit badge programs for grandparents to pursue with their grands. Suited for both one-on-one and group activities, it's a resource to help us put more focus and intention into our time with our grands. See examples, and explore his book series, at https://www.grandparentmeritbadges.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Melissa Davey is back with the story of her next film, "Climbing Into Life," about the oldest woman to scale El Capitan in Montana. Both the producer and her subject bring loads of inspiration for all of us. Learn more about Melissa's first doc, "Beyond Sixty," here, as well the trailer for her new film. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've watched much HSN or QVC, you may have seen or even bought clothing with the Diane Gilman label, the "Jean Queen" of tele-retail. Her new book is "Too Young to Be Old," and you'll likely agree with her after you hear our conversation with her. Diane's book is for sale at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637554532, and her web site and story are at thedianegilman.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, the emotional center of the Morgans' holiday gatherings shifted from the grandparent's home to that of their adult children. Emotions are more mixed than giblet gravy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Combining your pets and your grands can be chaotic, even scary--for both the animals and the small humans. Because it can go very badly, we must know our animals well and plan ahead for the good of all. Ellie Laks runs several animal rescue farms and is an expert in animal communication; her advice is practical, tender, and fascinating. Learn more about Ellie's farms and her talents at www.gentlebarn.org and ellielaks.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Mike welcome back Dr. Emily Williams, a counselor and therapist, for some advice on how to navigate the choppy waters of holidays and family relations. Her website is https://www.silvermaplepsychology.com. For more on the topic of touchy conversations with the parents of your grandchildren, check out our episode titled "The Hard Things." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our 150th episode is a celebration, a look back at the top topics we've covered in the first 149. We recorded this one with a live audience in Williamsburg, Virginia. We even hired a stand-up comedian to warm up the audience--and he's 9! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Mike share ideas from fans of the podcast on giving gifts for grandchildren at the holidays. We also talk with a charter sailing captain about the idea of giving your grands experiences, especially ones that include you. Our guest is Captain Robert of 757 Sailing Charters on the Virginia coast. For more on gifts for grands, check out these two previous episodes of our podcast: --"Enough is as Good as a Feast," about the cost tradeoffs between buying and shipping --"Overbuying," exploring why we're tempted to spend too much See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily's November article about podcast listening, published in the online magazine Next Avenue (nextavenue.org), invites readers to sample The Grand Life. This episode is a quick orientation for new visitors. Emily's article: https://www.nextavenue.org/what-podcast-listening-brings-to-the-table/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ABC Television's reality show "The Golden Bachelor" seeks to enrich the lives of older singles, but seems to do so at the expense of their grandchildren. Emily and Mike have some thoughts about this and what it might say to the rest of us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Buckworth is a radio and podcast host (and grandmother) near Toronto, Ontario. Kathy patiently answers our burning questions about Canadians, their politeness, and their maple syrup. Episode Notes Cathy Buckworth's radio program airs weekly on Zoomer Radio in Canada, with enough AM power to reach into the Central Northeastern US. The rest of us can hear her on the Go To Grandma podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It might be time for you to recheck your estate planning, because things change with time. Our chat with an elder law specialist might help you get motivated. You don't have to enjoy the process, but you really should do it. Notes: The National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, naela.org, can help you find an attorney in your state who can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How present are you when you grandparent? Samantha Reynolds is a Certified Conscious Parenting coach. Her book, "Help Me Be Me," is available at her web site, http://www.samanthareynolds.ca . Notes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Mike discuss what happens when grandparents become too busy or too burdened and approach burnout. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.