grandmaschool.com

Tag: Toys

  • How Things Have Changed Since Grandparents Were Parents (and How to Keep Up)

    How Things Have Changed Since Grandparents Were Parents (and How to Keep Up)

    Contains affiliate links

    We live in a very different world than when I was raising my kids in the ’90s. Back then, you could buckle a baby into a car seat with one hand, toss them a bag of Cheerios, and call it a day. These days? Oh no. There are entire college courses devoted to the proper angle of a chest clip.

    So much has changed when it comes to taking care of little ones — from car seats that look like they were designed by NASA to toddlers who can swipe before they can talk. Most of these updates are for the better (safety and sanity are good things!), but it can feel like we need a certification just to babysit. So here’s your quick Grandma School crash course on how to keep up.

    🚗 Car Seats: They even have an expiration date!

    Sure, we had car seats in the ’90s — but let’s be honest, some of them looked suspiciously like folding chairs with straps. The rule now? Rear-facing as long as humanly possible. Basically until the kid can drive themselves to college.

    If you’re spending more than an hour or two a week with your grandkids, it’s time to invest in your own car seat. And listen carefully — go to the store and actually try the buckles. I’m not kidding. Buckling one of these things is like trying to fasten a seatbelt on a wiggly octopus. You’ll thank yourself later for finding one you can manage without throwing out your shoulder.

    And here’s my number one, back-saving, sanity-protecting piece of advice: get a rotating car seat. It spins toward you when you’re buckling them in, so you’re not doing a half-yoga, half-wrestling move every time you go somewhere. Yes, they’re pricey — but so was your last chiropractor visit.

    This is the one I have.

    https://mavely.app.link/e/sPzUv1UBRXb

    Bonus Hack: If your grandbaby is still in an infant carrier, get one of those car seat strollers — the kind where the car seat clicks right into a stroller base. That way, you can go from car to store to park without ever unstrapping the baby. It’s like a luggage trolley for humans. Honestly, whoever invented it deserves a medal and a nap.

    https://mavely.app.link/e/0fji6kbCRXb

    Screen Time: My Survival Strategy

    There have been studies coming out the past few years about the dangers of screen time in infants. Their brain development can be altered. However, let’s be honest — screen time isn’t part of my parenting philosophy, it’s part of my emergency plan.

    When I’m outnumbered and out of patience, sometimes the only thing standing between me and total meltdown (mine or theirs) is a screen. Sometimes if I am in a store, a restaurant, or other places that kids commonly have meltdowns, I will pull out a screen.

    I stick with the calm, classic stuff: Super Simple Songs, Daniel Tiger, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Bluey. They’re gentle, predictable, and don’t make me want to throw the iPad out the window.

    So no, I don’t promote screen time. But I do believe in survival. And sometimes, survival looks like a talking tiger teaching emotional regulation while I finally sit down for five quiet minutes.

    🥕 Snacks: The Organic Overhaul

    Remember when “snack time” meant a sleeve of saltines and a can of 7-Up? Yeah, those days are over. Now every snack is an event. You’ll hear phrases like “nut-free,” “gluten-sensitive,” and “refined sugar alternatives” — all while your grandchild begs for Goldfish and fruities. The rules on food among moms changes daily.

    Don’t panic. You don’t need to own a dehydrator or make homemade oat balls shaped like bunnies. Just check with the parents about any allergies, then find something simple and safe. Applesauce pouches are your new best friend. If the parents want more nutritious snacks, don’t be a brat about it. Have respect for their wishes and put the red dye away. Annie’s brand has some pretty healthy snacks.

    https://mavely.app.link/e/WE9r4VWCRXb

    🌙 Sleep and Play: The Rules Have Rules

    Back in the ’90s, we put babies to sleep however they’d actually sleep. Stomach, side, swing, car seat — didn’t matter. These days, the phrase “safe sleep” has its own legal department.

    Remember when bumper pads were a thing? Like, you HAD to have them. The rule now is flat surface, firm mattress, on their back, nothing in the crib. Not even a blanket. Now the babies are put in sleep sacks. That’s their blanket. Think baby minimalism.

    With that being said, tummy time is also important. I have six grandchildren, and not one of them has ever been on board with it. Every single one acted like I had personally betrayed them the moment I set them face-down on a blanket.

    But as much as they protest, it’s a big deal for brain and body development — it helps strengthen their neck, shoulders, and little baby muscles.

    I just find it ironic that they’re not allowed to sleep on their tummies, but we’re told it’s crucial for them to play on their tummies. Basically, it’s: “Never let them sleep that way! But please, make them suffer through it during waking hours.” Parenting (and grandparenting) rules are wild.

    🩺 The Owlet and Other Sleep Monitors

    https://mavely.app.link/e/ce6aoppIRXb

    This invention is literally a lifesaver. These tiny smart socks and monitors track a baby’s heartbeat and oxygen levels, and alert parents if something seems wrong. One of life’s cruelest turns is the risk a baby faces while sleeping — and that fear is real.

    I personally knew five babies who died from sudden infant death. It’s something that never leaves you.

    Devices like the Owlet don’t erase that risk, but they do help ease some of the worry. It’s amazing how far we’ve come — from tiptoeing in to check if the baby’s breathing, to now being able to glance at an app and see they’re safe. Technology has its frustrations, but this one? This one feels like grace.

    📸 Managing Photos: The Digital Avalanche (and My Photo Curse)

    When my kids were little, we had to buy film, take 24 pictures, and hope one turned out. Now? Parents take 24 pictures of the same moment — just to decide which one has the best lighting. Every blink, burp, and toe wiggle is documented in portrait mode, uploaded to a cloud, and shared with a 47-person family chat.

    I’ll be honest — I have what I can only describe as a photo curse.

    The first time it struck was at Disneyland. I had a brand-new camera, fully charged, ready to capture every moment. The second we walked through those magical gates — click — it died. Just shut off. Never turned back on. So we bought disposable cameras at Disneyland prices (which, if you’ve never done it, feels like financing a small car).

    Then it happened again at the Louvre in Paris. Same story. Walked in, camera stopped working. So instead of photos, we came home with a gift shop book — which, honestly, had much better lighting than anything I would’ve taken.

    At this point, I’ve accepted that managing photos just isn’t my thing. I love seeing my grandkids’ pictures, but I can’t keep up with the nonstop albums and “memories” notifications. Photos stress me out. I’d rather just live the moment — curse and all.

    📱 Posting Photos: The One Rule You Can’t Bend

    You’ve probably heard of social media rules — the ones that say what grandparents can and can’t post online. And here’s the truth: this isn’t a suggestion, a debate, or a “well, I only have a few followers” situation.

    This is a rule.

    You do exactly what the parents ask — every time. No exceptions.

    If they say no photos online, it’s no photos.

    If they say only in private albums, then that’s the rule.

    You might roll your eyes a little, but you follow it.

    So keep learning, and remember: you don’t have to know every rule to be the world’s best grandma — you just have to show up and love them like crazy.

    It’s not about control — it’s about respect. These are their kids, and they’re raising them in a world where digital footprints start before kids can even walk. The parents get to decide what’s shared, not Grandma School.

    And honestly? One less thing for us to manage online sounds great to me.

    🔄 When the Rules Change Again (and They Will)

    Here’s another modern parenting reality: the rules will change — often. What’s “allowed” on Monday might be “absolutely not” by Friday.

    Don’t take it personally. Parents today are constantly bombarded with new information — safety updates, parenting trends, the latest “expert” advice on everything from pacifiers to pajamas. They’re trying to make the best choices they can with what they know today.

    Our job is simple: respect their wishes, every time. Even when it feels inconsistent or confusing. Even when you quietly think, we survived just fine without all this.

    Because what they really need from us — more than advice or opinions — is support. A grandma who rolls with it. Who says, “Got it,” and means it.

    And if tomorrow they reverse course again? Smile, adjust, and remind yourself: we raised them. They can handle this.

    Please comment some of the changes you have seen in child rearing. I would love to hear from you.

  • “The Magical ‘Crew’: How My Grandson and I Built a World Together”

    “The Magical ‘Crew’: How My Grandson and I Built a World Together”

    How It All Began

    When my grandson was born, I was working as a substitute teacher. I had spent years in classrooms and lunchrooms all over the district, getting to know teachers, principals, and especially special ed programs. One school stood out—it had the best staff, a wonderful principal, and an incredible special ed team.

    My daughter wanted to work in special education too, and when a full-time position opened at that school, she stepped right in. That’s when I made a big decision: instead of continuing to work, I would become the baby’s daycare. I wanted to be the one to care for him.

    It was an adjustment—giving up my job, changing my daily routines—but it was one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

    Adjusting to Grandma Caregiving

    Taking care of a child full time again was different this time around. Parents today have new tools—bottle warmers, formula makers, pouches of food, better diapers, easier baby clothes. Some things were simpler, but other things were harder.

    The biggest adjustment? Realizing that as the grandma, there isn’t really a backup plan. If I need time off, it affects everyone—my daughter, her students, and my son-in-law’s job. It took time, patience, and flexibility, but we found a rhythm.

    From “Playing Talk” to Crew

    When my grandson was a toddler, he wanted constant interaction. He wasn’t a “sit and watch a show” kind of kid—he wanted my attention, my input, my voice.

    One day we started using stuffed animals to make up little conversations. He called it playing talk. He loved it. We made up stories, gave the animals names and personalities, and built little worlds together.

    During COVID, he even insisted all the stuffed animals needed masks. So we carefully taped tissue-paper masks on every one of them. It was our way of coping with a strange world.

    Covid may have kept the world apart, but in our living room, every stuffed friend stayed safe with their masks—even if social distancing wasn’t their strong suit.

    Then one day, after earning a toy from the store, he brought home a pack of Fisher-Price Little People superheroes. He called them the crew. That name stuck.

    From then on, crew was our special game.

    The World of Crew

    Our crew grew to include superheroes, babies named Goo Goo and Gaga, Disney characters, and more. Each one had a role and a personality. The stories were endless.

    Silent but mighty—Goo Goo and Ga Ga always packed a punch

    There were villains, too—like Sunny, a squishy sun toy whose eye popped out when squeezed. Sunny was usually good, but sometimes he turned bad, freezing or hiding the crew. My grandson would always explain why the bad guys acted out—because they never had friends, or didn’t have enough food, or felt left out. In the end, the crew always made peace and welcomed them in.

    These weren’t just games. They were creative, imaginative stories. It felt like we were making art together.

    The Bond We Built

    Looking back, I realize that those moments were some of the most creative and joyful times of my life. The bond I formed with my grandson during those long afternoons of crew is unlike anything I could have imagined.

    Just a few months ago, my grandson, who is school age now, was talking to his parents.

    “Mom, dad…I have something to tell you that’s very important.”

    “Okay. What is it?” They asked.

    “When grandma and I started Crew, it was life changing. It was really important. It changed our lives.” He was right. It changed OUR lives.

    “One Piece“. Art Imitating Life Imitating Art.

    About a year ago, my two sons convinced my husband and me to start watching the anime show One Piece. With nearly 1,200 episodes, it felt like an impossible challenge — but to our surprise, it quickly became one of our favorite parts of the day. What would normally have been an easy “no” turned into a cherished family ritual.

    I’ll be honest — One Piece isn’t an easy watch. The episodes stretch on with seemingly endless battle scenes. The women are drawn with exaggerated proportions and scant clothing, a stark contrast to the wide variety of male characters. The animation is quirky, and at times the volume feels turned up to extreme. And yet… this show is pure gold.

    What makes it shine is the storytelling. It reminded me of the way my grandson and I invented stories with our “Crew” of toys — full of boyish charm, wild imagination, and heart. Watching One Piece opened my eyes to a kind of art I would never have appreciated otherwise. Now, I don’t hesitate to say it: One Piece is one of the greatest stories ever told.

    My Calling as a Grandma

    Over the years, I’ve watched my grandson grow, then his little sister after him, and now another grandson part time. I also have three more granddaughters that live in another state. That requires an extra level of navigation so I can spend time with them. I’ve had to sacrifice hobbies, free time, and even parts of my independence. But I wouldn’t trade it. I see this role as my calling—something the Lord has asked me to do in this season of life. And the blessings have been incredible.

    Red, White and Blue Crew! We had to photoshop some family into this. That’s why they look like they are disappearing.

    Not every family has this option, and not every grandparent is able to do it. But for me, it worked. And it gave my grandchildren a gift I believe is better than daycare: a bond of love and security that will last their whole lives.

    An Invitation to Other Grandmas

    So that’s the story of Crew. What started with stuffed animals and Little People turned into one of the most magical, creative, and meaningful times of my life.

    Do you have your own version of crew? A special game, story, or world you’ve built with your grandchildren? I would love to hear about it. Let’s share these stories and remind the world that grandmas matter—and that what we do is truly important.

  • Grandma School: Accepting Change and Creating Space

    Our family room is our playroom. This is easier for my lifestyle and the kids feel secure that I am always near.

    For grandparents that are providing full time care while your kids work, it takes a shift in your mindset to make it work for everyone.
    This advice is for people who take care of children during the day full time. It is not for every grandparent. Those, like me, who have taken on this lifestyle might benefit from my guidance. It comes from 8+ years of full daytime child care.


    A Lifestyle Shift

    When I started Grandma School eight years ago, it quickly became more than an activity—it became a lifestyle. I had to rethink everything: how I decorated, how I got chores done, and how our home functioned day to day. Baby-proofing, toy storage, and a house sprinkled with handprints on windows and jelly smudges became the new normal. Accepting that shift made the transition much easier.

    Creating a Play-Friendly Home
    My family room is now devoted to play. The coffee table is long gone, replaced by a sturdy play table (definitely a must-have). Bins of toys sit ready for curious hands, and a giant dollhouse anchors the space. At the moment, life is especially full with a three-year-old and a one-year-old under my care. That means extra clutter—like a crib right in the living room. It may not be picture-perfect, but this setup works best for us. I do have room for a separate play area, but I’ve found that keeping everything close at hand makes life run more smoothly.


    Accepting the Mess
    Bottom line: accept the change, accept the mess, and accept the space toys take. When you do, your grandchildren feel more accepted and truly wanted in your home. They see it not as a place they’re just visiting, but as their “home away from home.”

    Setting Boundaries with Love

    Yes, you can (and should) set boundaries and make them clear. But creating a space that welcomes kids—mess and all—helps them feel secure. They don’t have to tiptoe around, worried about breaking or ruining something. Instead, they can relax and be themselves.

    The Payoff

    I’ve found that embracing this mindset and modeling it for my grandchildren has deepened our relationship. They know they belong here. And while this shift can be a hard pill to swallow for some grandparents—it does require a changed mindset up front—the reward is worth it. In the end, your home becomes a safe, homey place where your grands feel truly at ease.

    I keep a basket at front door of shoes, coats, tutus, and anything else a kid would need to go outside. I also leave the stroller up all week because it is hard for me to undo it every time. If stuff gets used, it isn’t clutter. It is gear. If things pile up that don’t get used, deal with them quickly. #accepttheclutter #embracethemess.