Here is a handy, easy to use list of what to do, information to gather, and items to assemble when preparing to babysit your infant, toddler, or young school-age grandchild in your home overnight for a day, many days, or indefinitely. Please let us know at Contact your suggestions for additions or changes to this list. We will not disclose your name or contact information on air or this site without your consent. To view The Ultimate Grandparents’ Emergency Babysitting Checklist  click here.Read More

Should you introduce your grandchild to ethnic or national foods? What conversations should you have with parents? What foods healthy for toddlers to teenagers will they eat? How can you encourage your grandchild to eat varied healthy food, including during a period of shortages of some foods and beverages or financial limitations? What conversations should you have with parents? How much and what kinds of snacking between meals is good for children? What conversations should you have with parents? What are the advantages and disadvantages, for a child who is not lactose intolerant, of almond milk, coconut milk, or soy...Read More

When and how should you offer to buy or pay for clothing or shoes for your grandchild? What conversations should you have with parents? What clothing is best for infants? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost? What clothing and shoes are best for toddlers and young children? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost? What clothing and shoes are best for pre-teens? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost? How do you convince a grandchild to wear a nose and mouth covering or mask...Read More

What books and enrichment materials are best for very young children? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost? What books and enrichment materials are best for beginning readers? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost? What books and enrichment materials are best for pre-teen readers? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost?Read More

What equipment and supplies do you need for a newborn? Where can you find safe, reliable, durable, age-appropriate toys and games for your grandchild? How do you know which ones are best and worth the cost? What equipment do you need to communicate with your family on Zoom? Where can you find that equipment of adequate quality at lowest cost and with least effort? What is the best background (real or virtual) for a Zoom meeting with your family, especially children?Read More

What are your special challenges as a grandparent of a grandchild having same gender parents? How do you resolve those challenges? What are your special challenges as a grandparent having a same gender partner? How do you resolve those challenges? What are your special challenges as a grandparent of a grandchild having parents of different ethnicities, national origins, religions, or political viewpoints? How do you resolve those challenges? What are your special challenges as a grandparent having a different ethnicity, national origin, religion, or political viewpoint from that of your partner? How do you resolve those challenges?Read More

What is the best strategy to plan for your grandchild’s education and financial future generally? What strategy is best for you and your grandchild, depending upon the economic circumstance of each of you? Is it best for the family that you move your primary residence to be nearby your grandchild? What are the questions you must answer to make that decision? What financial, tax, medical and dental providers, insurance, and other planning is helpful to achieve a successful relocation?Read More

What can you do to save the planet and set an example for your grandchild? How do you talk about climate change with the parents and your grandchild? What can you do to promote the general health and welfare of your community, your grandchild’s community, and the nation and world and set an example for your grandchild? How do you talk about these actions with the parents and your grandchild? What can you do to counter the social, emotional, and financial effects of a pandemic and government’s response to the pandemic on your grandchild? How do you talk about a...Read More

What are grandparents’ medical babysitting preparation best practices? What are grandparents’ physical babysitting preparation best practices? What are grandparents’ mental babysitting preparation best practices? What should you wear for a marathon babysitting stint (two or more consecutive days and nights)? What are strategies to foster your patience, tolerance, and preparedness for anything? What can break will break. When is it best for your grandchild that you decline to care for your grandchild? How do you talk about it with the parents and your grandchild?Read More

How can you help your young grandchild develop social skills with peers during a prolonged period of social distancing (day care, preschool, and school is closed)? How can you help your grandchild see the world through the eyes and hearts of others who do not look or sound like they do? How can you counter racism, prejudice, and discrimination with your grandchild? What conversations should you have with parents? How can you help your school age grandchild cope with prolonged separation from friends and non-immediate family members? If you are not located or cannot relocate near your grandchild, or cannot...Read More