7 pearls of wisdom on grandparenting from celebrities
From Goldie Hawn to Billy Crystal, these famous folks share their grandparenting wisdom.
Actress and grandmother of five Goldie Hawn, 69, told Parent magazine:
“[I hope to teach them] to become as resilient as they can. We all get knocked down, but the measure of the man is how fast you get up. And I think that’s what I’d really like to instil in the kids. We’re all going to fail, we’re all going to mess up, but it’s not as much about that as it is learning from your mistakes and getting up real fast.”
63-year-old actor Tony Danza reveals his number one piece of advice for new grandparents.
“There are a lot more challenges for parents now. But it all goes back to showing [kids] how to be a good person. Keep them close to you. And make dinner together.”
The lifestyle guru and grandmother of two, Martha Stewart, 73, said:
“I adore my two grandchildren and I try to make time, good time, to spend with them as often as I can. No matter what we’re doing, being with them is rejuvenating, energizing, enjoyable. Whether we’re gathering eggs from the chicken on my farm, playing games, or simply spending time together, their youth helps keep me young.”
Grandfather of four and funny man actor Billy Crystal, 67, told the Guardian:
“You have to really respect what your kids are doing with their kids and how they're raising them. You can't push your way into areas where you shouldn't be saying anything. You have to always remember they're not your own kids. Play with them, love them, spoil them to death – then hand them back.”
Author Mary Higgins Clark told Grandparents.com what she hopes to teach her grandchildren.
“I have six grandchildren, and my husband now has 11, so between the two of us, we have 17! What I hope they’ll learn from me is to always be kind. I want them to avoid being involved in petty quarrels, and focus on the things that truly matter. No matter who someone is, what job they do, I want my grandchildren to know that they need to be equally kind.”
Talk show host Sharon Osbourne, 62, delights in being a grandmother telling Hello! Magazine:
“I am the typical grandmother that does everything that you shouldn't. I spoil her, I let her stay up all night she can do whatever she wants so I am the stereotypical grandmother and she loves it. We have a sign up at my house that says ‘What goes on at grandma's, stays at grandma's,’ so we never talk about the things we get up to.”
Actress Jane Seymour shared in an interview with Grandparents.com her thoughts on juggling grandparenting and parenting:
“As grandparents, we've been down the road before, and we can see potential issues and problems when it comes to the grandchildren. We have to know when to step in or not. I think the most important thing grandparents can do when it comes to our adult children is listen to them and hear what they are saying. We might not agree, but every person wants to be listened to. Hear what they have to say, then give it a break. Go to the bathroom or make a cup of coffee, then come back and say, ‘I was thinking about what you said and I might...’ then give your advice.”
Related links:
How grandchildren of today differ to the grandkids of yesteryear
Old-fashioned games to play with grandkids
Why you should never play favourites with your children and grandchildren