The Baby Boomers\’ Guide to Grandparenting: An Irreverent Look at the Next Big Step

Author: Diana J. Ewing
Website: http://www.mybabyboomersguide.com/
Reviewed By: Anne Holmes for the NABBW

Author Diana Ewing was first inspired to write this book several years ago, when the first of her friends became a grandmother. When that happened, she explains, she was shocked to realize that baby boomers – including herself – could possibly have reached the “grandparenting stage” of life.

Speaking for many of us, she says, “While we certainly loved our own grandparents, we had viewed them as old and out-of-date. Surely today\’s kids couldn\’t possibly see their boomer grandparents in the same way, because the original youth culture is still as hip and happening as ever. Right?”

Ewing goes on to explain that hers is the first grandparenting book written expressly for baby boomers and exclusively for fun. It takes an over-the-top look at where boomers have been and where they are going as grandparents in a mix of boomer history, pop culture then and now, the foibles of aging, and how much life has changed.

This book highlights the joys and challenges we grandparents of the 21st century face, and is chock full of quizzes , amusing musical quotes from “our” music, as well as a handful of crossword puzzles. Ewing\’s goal here is not to retrain you on hardcore stuff like how to change diapers, or to advise you on grandparenting mantras, like “I will remember not to critique my child\’s parenting skills or tell them how we used to do things in our day.” But it will definitely entertain you.

I especially enjoyed the book\’s “granecdotes, ” which are, of course, quotes from grandchildren, shared by proud grandparents. This book is not only liberally sprinkled with them, but the author welcomes new ones on the book\’s website. So jot those pearls down while they\’re fresh in your mind, \’cause now you know where to share \’em!

The books titles are fun too. Who doesn\’t want to read chapters with engaging Boomer-centric titles, like: “But We\’re Too Young To Be Grandparents,” Oh, Baby, How Times Have Changed,””Grandparentland: What a Trip!” and “He Ain\’t Heavy, He\’s My Grandpa.”

This book makes a great gift for any of your friends who are finding themselves a bit shaken by the concept of impending grandparent-hood. It will definitely help them keep their Boomer cool.

NABBW

NABBW Contributing Author