'Why does my daughter rebuff my advice?' 'Why was my dad never this patient with me?' 'I didn't expect to feel all this.' The birth of a grandchild is a cause for celebration. But when a child becomes a parent themselves, existing family structures are radically altered. Old tensions between parents and their adult children may come into sharp relief, while new relationships with in-laws must be navigated carefully. And at the heart of two families is a small person, whose life will benefit hugely from the love of their grandparents. In this warm, wise guide to being a modern grandparent, leading psychologist Terri Apter builds on cutting edge research as well as her own experience as a grandparent. Drawing on case studies from across the world, Apter examines the crucial and changing role that grandparents play in our society, from those grandparents who find themselves caring for a grandchild, to how to support a grandchild through their parents' divorce. This innovative book is for grandparents and for their adult children as they reimagine their relationships with each other, and become the best parents - and grandparents - that they can be.
About the Author :
Terri Apter is a psychologist, writer and former Senior Tutor at Newnham College, Cambridge. Her books on family dynamics, identity and relationships have received international acclaim.
Review :
'A thoughtful, innovative exploration of the role of grandparents, combining interviews and research against the backdrop of contemporary family life' Leah Hazard, author of Womb
‘Wise, deep, illuminating and so compassionate – for mothers, daughters, children, everyone who makes a family. I've recommended it to many friends, both mums of young children, like myself, who are trying to understand their shifting relationships, and friends who are now at the grandmothering stage. I know it’s a book I’ll return to as time passes’ Liz Berry, author of The Republic of Motherhood
‘Grandparenting is a long-awaited, well-informed, personal and well-researched insight into what it means to be a grandparent. Terri Apter is brilliant, warm, human and wise... A wonderful book’ Julia Samuel, author of Every Family Has a Story
'Apter's book is a quiet revolution. It reclaims grandparenthood as a meaningful, evolving life phase with its own priorities, challenges and re-inventions... she captures the complexity of this little-researched role with nuance and empathy' Forbes
‘In tones of good humour and rare sanity, Grandparenting seamlessly weaves together sage practical counsel, granular observation of intergenerational relationships and relevant context from psychology, neurology and anthropology. An invaluable resource for grandparents and parents alike’ Josh Cohen, author of All the Rage
‘Perceptive, wide-ranging, lively, and astute, this book is a must-read for grandparents and parents alike’ Lisa Appignanesi, author of Everyday Madness: On Grief, Anger, Loss and Love
‘A magnificent book, written by one of the most impressive experts on family psychology... A work of deep emotional sensitivity, Apter has helped us to understand the true complexities of interactions among three intimate generations: babies, parents, and grandparents’ Professor Brett Kahr, Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology
'For those of us who believe mothering lasts forever' Platinum
'A warm guide to being a modern grandparent' Belfast Telegraph
