The Crazy Grandparent’s Club

If nothing is going well, call your grandmother. ~Italian Proverb

In my endless search to learn everything I can about being a better grandmother, I’ve found some pretty amazing websites. Ones that I like to refer to as The Crazy Grandparent’s Club. During my time as a grandmother, as with my own children, I’ve come to realize that life is much like a roller coaster. Complete with all its ups and downs. While my grandkids teach me numerous lessons in our time together, I’ve learned a great deal of wisdom from other Grands. Ones who have taken this amazing path as well. As a result, these precious people have assisted me on this journey as I rediscover my faith in God. From both, I regained the strength to not give up on a love that has been one of the greatest achievements of my life. The love I have from and for my grandchildren.

Through my journey of forgiveness, I’ve gained wisdom and a deeper understanding of my own personal growth. This includes letting go of what I can’t control and trying to keep a positive environment around me. These are the things that I now try to pursue daily. With God at the center, I’ve experienced an unparalleled love – unconditional and life changing. With His grace and their insight, I am again hopeful for the future. Join me in this vibrant ” Crazy Grandparent’s Club” as I introduce you to some of my favorite leaders in the grandparent blog industry. By the end of this article, I hope you find these incredible individuals helpful as well. These who have unquestionably changed my life for the better. And that it becomes abundantly clear their impact on my life, and how they successfully captured my heart. Ready to dive in?

#1 Blogger: GRAND Magazine

Christine Crosby, a grandmother and great-grandmother, is a successful entrepreneur, book and magazine publisher, and passionate child/family advocate. With over 30 years of experience, she assembled a top-notch team of professionals, publishing specialists, and sponsors to launch GRAND. The Lifestyle Magazine for Today’s GRANDparents in 2004. GRAND magazine is undeniably a source of solutions to the challenges that tech-savvy grandparents face in today’s world. Those at Grand recognize that, by and large, grandparents today have diverse passions and interests beyond their former role. GRAND aims to support them in the successful navigation of these various life stages. Her article on estrangement was of definite interest to me.

Christine wants everyone to understand that grandparents strive to thrive with each passing year. She invites others to explore the changing face of grandparenting. In GRAND, you’ll find updated information on positive aging. As well, you can explore the different types of healthy lifestyles, intergenerational connections, and diverse ideas about creating livable communities. There is a wealth of information that covers a wide range of topics, including gifts ideas for grandchildren, long-distance grandparenting, and fun activities and games to enjoy with your grandchildren. There is fashion, and finance, and so much more which is why it holds number one in the “Crazy Grandparent’s Club”! Excitement and adventure await you in the pages of GRAND.

“The Lifestyle Magazine for Today’s Grandparents Living The Ageful Life”

Christine Crosby -GRAND Magazine

You can learn more about GRAND Magazine by checking out their site.

#2 Blogger: Nanahood

Teresa is a peach of a grandma. She lives in Kentucky with her husband Bill, has twin boys that she jokingly says she can always tell apart as long as she is wearing her glasses, and **grandkids**. She is an inspirational speaker, encourager, and an educator who has written numerous books and articles, not to mention her magazine column Kindred Spirits and then of course this amazing website. When I even think about comparing my novice attempts at a blog after pouring over some of her posts, I’m pretty much left feeling like a donkey at the Kentucky Derby. I especially love the one about the value of holding his little hand, maybe for the last time. It’s just that good.

Despite her extreme fear of flying Teresa willingly goes where she believes the Lord sends her. As a result, she travels everywhere to speak at events and conferences where she shares her life experiences as a mom, a grandmother, a teacher, etc., with other women and about a God who has walked her through the hardest of times and gotten her through every single one. She definitely has earned a spot in the Crazy Grandparent’s Club.

“The key to being a good grandmother is to use your own personal strengths and talents to connect with your grandchildren. Once the connection is made opportunities will present themselves for you to share your love”

Teresa Bell Kindred -nanahood.com

You can learn more about Nana Hood by checking out their site.

Blogger #3: The Grandmother Gig

MImi, the author and creator of the blog the grandmother gig, lives on a farm with her husband in the deep South. She writes that she never imagined that she would end up living a rural life, but now she absolutely loves it. Mimi loves being a wife, a mom, a home economist, a musician (she taught guitar for 10 years,) and a grandmother! She writes that all of the other jobs that she did over the years only helped get her ready for the one she now views as most important. Only a blogger with a heart like that rivals the others in the Crazy Grandparent’s Club!!

Her interests include-most southern things, as well as music, knitting, reading, and cooking as is easily seen when you visit her blog by the vast amounts of yummy recipes you will find there. She also loves learning new things and from what I can tell she picked up blogging pretty quick. A friend once asked her, “What is a blog, anyway?” and her response was that for her, it is just her version of a journal. A way for her to record of all the important things that happen in her family. Furthermore, it’s a place to collect her recipes. I’m glad of that and I’m pretty sure you will be as well.

“A six-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. “Oh,” he said, “she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.” ~How Children Perceive Their Grandparents

Mimi -the grandmother gig

You can learn more about the Grandmother Gig by checking out their site.

Blogger #4: The GaGa Sisterhood

Donne Davis is the social guru of social network hands down and the founder of the GaGa Sisterhood. Since the year 2003, she has put together such a successful membership community for grandmothers that she has them lining up to show up. The GaGa Sisterhood is a social network for enthusiastic, creative, and caring women who indulge themselves completely in the sheer joy of being grandmothers.

In addition to all of the information you can find online, they also offer Zoom meetings every other month. For this reason, it allows their members to come together and share resources with other grandmothers who are completely over the moon for their grandchildren. Together they combine wisdom and inspire each other to explore what it means to be a grandmother in the climate of today. I know the amount of work that goes into what it takes to make the Crazy Grandparent’s Club list and this information available. I thank them for all their hard work! 🙏🏼😊✨

“We are grandmas who are “gaga” for our grandkids.”

Donne Davis -The Gaga Sisterhood

You can learn more about the GaGa Sisterhood by checking out their site.

#5 Blogger: Grandma’s Briefs

Last but certainly NOT least in the search for Crazy Grandparent’s Club members is Lisa Carpenter of Grandma’s Briefs. In addition to being a mom, a wife, and a grandma, she is also a blogger. What’s more, she is a freelance writer, and, as of 2021, a published author of her first book, The First-Time Grandmother’s Journal. This followed by another, A Love Journal: 100 Things I Love About Grandma in December 2021. She’s been married to the same wonderful man for four decades. She has three beautiful daughters, three fantastic sons in law, and a passel of grandsons. Lisa loves to read, she loves movies, music, live performances, and taking photos. Although she was born in Minnesota, she moved to Colorado in 1974. However, she mentions that has never learned to ski and was diagnosed at the age of 27 with MS.

Reading her posts, I’ve discovered a priceless exchange of love and hard-earned knowledge. The kind that only comes from invaluable life lessons, rich memories, and self-discovery. From her writings I have learned a valuable lesson. That no matter what life throws at you, it’s possible to find grace within yourself. Grace to persevere and remain positive. One of my favorite posts of hers is “How to be the best babysitting grandparent ever.”. In it she shares valuable information about having fun with the kiddos while keeping their parents happy. A task that can be quite challenging. Visiting her site is a Crazy Grandparent Club must do! 😊😊

“I love rocking chairs; I don’t mind at all being called Gramma by my grandsons; I think that cool and unique socks make a perfectly fitting gift—though I do draw the line at underwear. And most importantly of all: I love my grandkiddos to pieces.”

Lisa Carpenter -Grandma’s Briefs

You can learn more about Grandma’s Briefs by checking out their site.

Final Thoughts:

Grandparenthood truly is one of the most fulfilling experiences anyone can have. It has been for me. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, and lessons learned but most of all love. Even though life take its toll, there are simple joys we get from those around us. Joys that are enough to replenish our souls and bring unconditional happiness. I’m grateful for the blessing of my grandchildren and the joy they’ve brought to my life. I could not imagine a world without them in it. With this in mind, as grandparents, let us cherish these precious people our moments together. Undeniably, each memory created now will last for many years to come. “There is always something beautiful to be found in the eyes of a grandchild. Even in the darkest of days.” This phrase has become my mantra as I continue on my journey through life.

All things considered I hope you find these websites as entertaining and helpful as I have. I love how they are constantly adding new content and features. The stories and the people I have encountered here have been nothing short of amazing. Their faith in God and themselves, and how they draw from that relationship, reminds me that He is only a prayer away. I’m so glad that there are websites, in addition to Granny’s Grace, that exist to help people like you and me find the resources that we need. Finally, I’m curious as to the relationship with your grandchildren. Particularly how it compares to the one you had with your own children. Have you taken what you have learned from that experience and applied it to your relationship with your grandchildren? Let me know in the comments below or shoot me an email.