Good to Be Grand: Making the Most of Your Grandchild's First Year

by Cheryl Harbour, Hillary Rodham Clinton (Foreword)

Becoming a grandparent is a major milestone, raising new questions, challenges, and opportunities. Prepare for this transformative stage of life-and make the baby's first year one of the most meaningful experiences for both of you. Good to Be Grand is the ultimate roadmap for today's grandparent, combining the latest information about infant care-from medical developments to equipment innovations to parenting practices-with honest, down-to-earth advice and anecdotes about grandparents' special role.Journalist and new grandmother Cheryl Harbour gets right to the point of what modern grandparents really need to know from the time they begin anticipating the birth to the end of the first year. Harbour takes the best and most relevant information from the latest research, expert interviews, and thick parenting books and tailors it specifically for grandparents, recognizing the unique bond they share with their children's children.Each chapter provides interesting facts and observations about what has remained the same and what has changed about childcare over the years, what you can do to support the physical and emotional well-being of your grandchild and, most important, what you can do to make the most of the experience.With a foreword by Hillary Rodham Clinton, including her personal reflections on the birth of her first grandchild, Good to Be Grand is for smart and sophisticated grandparents eager to embark on their grandparenting journeys with enthusiasm, knowledge, and confidence.

Genres: Nonfiction

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2016

Reviews

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be an excellent book to give to someone who has recently learned they will be a grandparent for the first time. It answers questions, gives good advice and suggestions, and brings the older generation up to speed on what is the latest thinking in child care. Things DO change from one generation to the next!

I am the grandmother of a thirteen-month-old boy and would have LOVED to have read this book before he was born for the reassurance and information it contains but can now testify to the accuracy of what Cheryl Harbour has to say about the experience.

There is an introduction by Hillary Rodham Clinton, a close friend of the author, that is just delightful. I had to laugh out loud when Hillary said Chelsea asked her not to sing when she was eighteen months old. It is a family joke that our oldest daughter said that to me too at that age but it hasn't stopped me from singing to my grandson!

With appreciation to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy if this book from a goodreads giveaway. I was interested in it because I was pregnant with my first child, and I thought it would make a good first for my mom. I didn't want to read it first to make sure I agreed with the advice it gave, and I'm happy to say it's a great book. As a new parent I was worried that my baby's grandparents may not be up to date on current safety measure requires when taking care of an infant, and Good to be Grand covers all of that, and Cheryl Harbour often encourages the reader to communicate openly with the parent of their new grandchild. The only problem with giving this book to my mom is that she is a staunch Republican, and Hillary Clinton wrote the forward. I feel like I'd have to offer a disclaimer when gifting it to her, even though there is nothing political in the things she wrote. I happen to be a fan of Hillary, so I was excited to read her contribution to this book. I'd you don't feel the same way as I do, please don't let it deter you from picking up a copy.

[Julie Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to Be Grand is an awesome resource for grandparents, especially if this is your first grand child. It reminds us to allow our children to parent their child and we have to respect their wishes even when our impulse is to jump right in. This book gives some practical advice as well which is awesome because for me, it has been over 20 years since I had a baby in my home. There are a lot of new advancements that I was not aware of that are really helpful in preparing for my little darlings' arrival. The best part is this book captured all of the things that I want to enjoy with my grandchild and all of the traditions and learnings that I want to share with my little babe. It shows how to do it in a grandparent role. It also touches on different family relationships and how to interact effectively with the addition of a new baby.

I encourage anyone that is due to become a grandparent or if your children are thinking of becoming parents, to read this book. It's a quick and easy read and has a wonderful foreward by Hilary Rodham Clinton. Enjoy!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read and brings an aspiring or new grandparent up-to-speed on babies. Believe it or not, there are new laws, rules, and standards to follow. Swaddling is big -baby can only be on their back - baby has to be in the back seat facing backwards, etc. Study up and be ready. Always defer to the parents. Getting ready....Highly recommended.

[Rebecca Cline · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

While there were some very good suggestions to not overstep your bounds as a grandparent. It was very vague with actual advice or techniques that would be useful.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the author on TV. The book was not as specific as I expected. As with most "self-help" books, I think the author wrote common sense ideas that were not unknown to me.

[Nanci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this book. Really nothing in it of value about being a first-time grandparent. Very dry. 2 stars

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Very good for basic up to date knowledge for new grandparents to be. I learned a lot about new ways of raising children and about all the bells and whistles parents have these days!