World's Greatest Grandparents

23 Jul, 2026

All four of my grandparents lived into my adulthood. For most of my childhood, they were close enough that we could visit them often. Even though my parents split up the year I started school, my mom stayed close to my dad's family, so that was never an issue.

As a child, I thought my grandparents were perfect. And as an adult, my opinion of them didn't change very much. Their love for me was as unconditional as love can be. No matter how much trouble I got into at school or with my folks, my grandparents never held any of that against me. When my mom didn't have much money, my grandparents stepped in to provide winter coats and school clothes. When my own grandchildren started to arrive, the standards I had to live up to were set pretty high.

My mom followed in their footsteps. She's helped me through the years so many times with my kids that I couldn't possibly make a list. Their love for her is deep and continuing. They call her often and go out of their way to spend time with her.

My dad, well, not so much. Today, he does the best he can, but the same issues that made him an iffy father made him an iffy grandfather too. It's water under the bridge at this point.

I'm entering my third decade as a grandfather, myself. My oldest grandson turned 21 last week. I just spent four days with my youngest, James, age 7. I don't know if I'm on the same level my two grandfathers were on, but I try. I know that I have a lot more confidence in my skills with kids than I had as a young parent. Raising your own kids is something you have to do. I mean, there they are. You have to feed them, buy them school clothes, take them to the goddamned orthodontist. It's a job.

Being a grandfather is usually something you get to do, as in, it's a privilege. Grandparenting opportunities go on the calendar and you look forward to them. When my kids ask me if I want to see my grandkids, there is only one answer — yes, without hesitation and always heartfelt.

When my daughter proposed this recent visit, I got ready for it by doing what I do. I made lists, I consulted ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. I volunteered to let Wonder Woman tell me what to do. I made a web form, sent it to my daughter, telling her, "I'm going to need for you to fill this out." When James got here, I had his favorite foods on standby. There were multiple forms of digital and analog entertainment ready. I arranged for a visit from his cousins, a trip to a park/splashpad and a tour of the giant Army museum near my home. I offered trips to the bookstore and the toy department of a big box store.

I made bubble baths so big that I had to stand him in the shower and spray him down with a hose to get all the suds off of him. I now know more about Minecraft and Mario Kart than almost anyone my age (who isn't a grandfather). I made a few mistakes, but he got me straight. For instance, he's supposed to chew up his vitamin gummies BEFORE not AFTER he brushes his teeth. I messed that one up on his first night. I even had a tech snafu. His Echo Dot, which he uses to listen to books while he goes to sleep, is registered to his mom, and it didn't want to let me add it to my Wi-Fi. I can fix most tech problems and I fixed that one — quickly.

He was ready to go home yesterday, but he would not have been too sad if his visit stretched out either. He promised me that he wants to come back to our house soon and I promised him that we would make that happen.

Wonder Woman and I make a great team. My grandparents, as wonderful as they were, liked everyone except the people they were married to. As weird as that may sound, they all seemed not to see the things in each other that we all saw and that's kind of sobering to think about. My bride and I are not that. We are best friends, constant companions, and a real team. If you know us, you know that. If you read this blog, you know that. And, if you're lucky enough to be one of the 13 tiny humans who have us for grandparents, you've never doubted it in your life.

#Family