9 Things Every Grandma Should Learn to Be the Best Granny Ever

Since people are living longer, modern grandchildren may have a whole gaggle of grandparents. If they are lucky, they have not only grandparents but also great-grandparents, with perhaps some step-grandparents thrown in.

What's a child to do with five or six “grandmothers” — besides being well spoiled, which is kind of a given! If all the grandmothers are known as Grandma or Grannie, the child is likely to be permanently confused. That's just one situation driving the move toward unusual grandmother names.

Check out inspiration for your modern grandma name here!

Besides giving them a new little being to love and spoil, the birth of a grandchild changes the family hierarchy. Suddenly the parents are in control, and it's the grandparents who have to follow the rules. 

This power reversal isn't entirely unexpected, and in most cases it doesn't feel burdensome. We adapt to life under a benevolent triumvirate — our grandchild and the parents of our grandchild. Everything goes smoothly, as long as we know the rules.

Check out all the rules grandparents shouldn't break here!

Grandparent time out may sound like a joke, but to the grandparents who are penalized, it's very real. Instead of having to sit on a stair step for 10 minutes, some grandparents are being separated from their grandchildren for weeks or even months at a time. Their misdemeanors range from not following the parents' rules to offering unsolicited advice. 

Check out how to avoid grandparent time out here!

Something about having to share grandchildren can bring out the wolf in the gentlest grandma. Maybe it's just that our time with our grands tends to be limited, so we work up a genuine dislike for anything — or anyone — that cuts into our time. Having to share with the other grandparents can be particularly hard.

Still, such feelings are unworthy of the values that we want to pass on to our grandchildren, and family drama isn't on anyone's list of favorite things.

Check out all the tips for keeping the peace with other grandparents here!

Many people can say they're a grandmother, but actually being a good one is an entirely different ball game. From unconditionally supportive to a loving and trusted listener, there are certain things you want to "be" to maintain a strong relationship with your grandkids through the years.

Check out how to deepen your bond with your grandchildren here!

Most of the time, grandparent child care is good for both sides. The children benefit from being tended to by a loving family member, while the grandparents benefit from closer family ties and often from being more active mentally and physically.

Still, the arrangement can have its downsides. Most of these can be overcome with clear communication from all parties.

Check out all the tips for being granny and nanny here!

Lisa Carpenter has been a long-distance grandma from the beginning of her grandma gig. The first few years, she moaned and groaned ceaselessly about the miles separating her from her sweeties, but she's now nearly nine years into grandmahood. In that time, she's thankfully learned there is indeed — unbelievable as she first thought it might be — a bright side to grandbabies living so far away.

Check out all the perks of being a long-distance grandparent here!

Whether you’re expecting your first grandbaby or are a seasoned grandmother with years of experience under your belt, the most important part of your role is the same: spoiling those kiddos! You’ve done your time as the responsible parent and now you get to focus more on all the fun stuff about watching those little humans grow. Of course, you don’t want to go broke while providing for them.

Check out how you can spoil your grandkids for free here!

Grandmas are famous for being the most loving and nurturing member of any family. Just hearing the word can fill you with warm and fuzzy memories of your own grandmother. Now that you might be a grandma yourself, you know just how important it is to carry on that tradition with the younger generations.

That’s exactly what Todd Pliss had in mind when he came up with the brilliant idea for his company, Rent a Grandma. 

Check out how you can earn money as a Rent a Grandma here!