Becoming a Grandparent: The Joys, Surprises and How to Be the Best Support

If you’ve recently stepped into the role of grandparent — congratulations! It’s a milestone that comes with its own magic. Many of you who followed our Gummee journey from the very beginning are now welcoming your first (or even second!) grandchildren. Just like becoming a parent for the first time, becoming a grandparent can be a mix of emotions, surprises, and new lessons.

How it feels to become a grandparent

For many, the first feeling is pure joy: the thrill of seeing your own child step into parenthood, and the overwhelming love you feel for this tiny new person. But there can also be unexpected emotions:

• A sense of time passing — suddenly you realise your “baby” is now a parent themselves.

• A new kind of love — it’s different from parenting, but just as powerful.

• A shift in role — you’re not the one responsible for night feeds and nappy changes, but you still have a vital role to play.

Surprising realisations

🌸 Parenting has changed! From prams to feeding advice, today’s parents often do things differently from the way you did. It can be surprising (and sometimes confusing) to see just how much has changed in a generation.

🌸 It’s less about control, more about support. You might have strong opinions, but this is your child’s turn to parent. Grandparenting works best when you can offer guidance gently, while respecting their choices.

🌸 You get the fun bits. One of the sweetest realisations? You can soak up the cuddles, stories and playtime, then hand them back when it’s time for naps or teething meltdowns!

Tips for being a brilliant grandparent

💜 Listen, don’t lecture. New parents are often overwhelmed by advice. Sometimes the best thing you can do is listen and offer reassurance instead of instructions.

💜 Be present. Your grandchild won’t remember what gifts you bought, but they will remember the time you spent together — reading, playing, exploring the garden, or simply being there.

💜 Respect routines. Parents spend a lot of energy creating feeding and sleeping rhythms. Following their lead (even if you’d do it differently) shows respect and makes life easier for everyone.

💜 Share your wisdom… gently. You’ve raised children, so you know a lot! Share tips as “This worked for me” rather than “You should.” That way your advice feels like support, not pressure.

💜 Look after yourself too. Being a hands-on grandparent can be physically tiring. Don’t forget to care for your own health and energy, so you can enjoy the journey fully.

The gift of being a grandparent

Grandchildren bring a new kind of joy — they connect us to the past and the future all at once. They remind us of when we were new parents ourselves, and they give us a chance to experience the wonder of childhood again, this time with less pressure and more freedom.

Being a grandparent isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being present, loving, and supportive. And in the eyes of your grandchild, that’s more than enough.