The Grandparent Trap: What You Can Expect From The Next Generation Of Grandparents

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Whether you get married in your 20s, 30s or 40s, it’s a new generation of parents, with both mom and dad working and sharing the household and parenting responsibilities, and often times, mom making more than dad, and perhaps dad staying home with the kids.

And, with this new family image is also a new image of grandparents. Even those in their 50s, 60s and beyond are typically, NOT your typical grandma and grandpa, with many even not comfortable with this customary title.

Today’s grandparents, regardless of age, are “younger”, hipper, savvier and much more “worldly” than most of us remember grandparents being.

Not only do many still (willingly) work, but, many of those retired keep up with their homes and their OWN lives. They are often out on the town; not to mention that most travel, are involved with churches, synagogues, and many extra-curricular activities that get them off the sofa and out of the couch. Plus, many actively keep up appearances, sporting some of the latest fashions and keeping up with the trends, including frequenting spas and zipping down the streets in sports cars.

Oddly, yet commonly enough, the image and the title (of grandparent) just doesn’t do our moms and dads justice. In fact, they are a far cry from the stay-at-home grandparents (always home and always available) we may be use to. And many even set limits as to the sacrifices and expectations we (their children and their grandchildren) can have from them. So, what can we call this trendy new generation of grandmothers and grandfathers whose lives are just as full and busy, if not more so, than ours. That’s the question many of us, and them are asking.

According to experts, g-mom or g-dad, pop/pops pop-pop or mom-mom, or even first names have all become acceptable options. And, many grandparents add, don’t expect a typical visit either. Baking cookies is simply not this generation’s cup of (green) tea, Instead you can expect today’s grandparent to take your kid on an exotic vacation, give him/her tickets to the latest rock concert, even join them, or take them to a march or marathon. And, also likely be on their terms and their timetable.

Long Island Family Life & Parenting Articles > The Grandparent Trap: What You Can Expect From The Next Generation Of Grandparents