Finding excellent books for new grandparents is the perfect way to navigate the beautiful new chapter of grandparenthood. This role brings immense joy but can also come with questions.
How can you build a strong bond? What is your role? These resources offer practical tips and heartfelt advice to help you step into this special role with confidence and love.
Recommended Books for New Grandparents: A Closer Look
With so many choices, it can be hard to know where to start. The best new grandparents books cover everything from understanding modern parenting to bonding from afar.
They help you connect with your grandchild while respecting the parents' wishes. Here is a look at some of the top titles to consider.
1. Unlock Your Grandparenting Skills
by Teri Pisciotta
If you’re stepping into grandparenthood for the first time or even if you’ve been a grandparent for a while but feel unsure about your role, this book offers a gentle, thoughtful roadmap.
Teri Pisciotta doesn’t just tell you what to do; she helps you understand why certain boundaries and conversations matter, especially with your adult children.
She covers real-life situations many grandparents face:
- What if your grandchild is adopted?
- What if you live hundreds of miles away?
- What if your family is blended or has special needs?
Instead of giving too many rules, she focuses on empathy, communication, and simple ways to stay connected. You can read bedtime stories over video call or help choose a baby name from far away.
There’s also a helpful section on legal and financial topics that many guides skip, making this a well-rounded companion for the modern grandparent.
2. How to Be a GREAT Grandparent
by Jill Merton
This is one of the books for new grandparents that feels like a warm conversation with a wise friend who’s been there.
Jill Merton recognizes that today’s world moves fast; kids grow up with tablets before toys, and parenting styles have shifted dramatically since we raised our own children.
Instead of resisting those changes, she shows you how to lean in with curiosity and kindness.
- You’ll find down-to-earth advice on many things.
- You can learn to text your grandchild, even if you barely know how to use emojis.
- You can also start simple but meaningful traditions like “Grandma’s Pancake Saturday” or an annual photo album.
She also addresses the delicate balance of being supportive without overstepping, especially when it comes to discipline, screen time, or bedtime routines set by your child’s parents.
Most importantly, she reminds you that “spoiling” doesn’t have to mean sugar and toys; it can mean time, attention, and unconditional love.
3. Being a Grandparent: Just Like Being a Parent … Only Different
by Dr. Ray Guarendi
Dr. Ray brings his trademark blend of humor, faith, and no-nonsense wisdom to the grandparenting table, and it works beautifully.
As a dad of ten kids and now a proud grandpa himself, he knows that grandparenting isn’t just “parenting 2.0.” It’s a whole new role with its own joys, frustrations, and surprises.
In this book, he answers actual questions from real grandparents:
- “Should I correct my grandchild when they misbehave?”
- “What if I disagree with how my son is raising his kids?”
- “Is it okay to bribe them with candy just to get a smile?”
His answers are honest, kind, and often funny, but always grounded in respect for both generations.
He encourages you to enjoy the freedom of grandparenthood (yes, you can say “yes” to ice cream before dinner… sometimes!) while still honoring your adult children’s authority.
It’s a reassuring read that helps you relax into your new role without guilt or confusion.
4. The Modern Grandparent’s Handbook
by Dr. Georgia Witkin
Dr. Witkin—a psychiatrist, professor, and grandma herself—writes with both professional insight and personal warmth.
She understands that being a grandparent today comes with hidden pressures: the worry that you’re “out of touch,” the fear of saying the wrong thing to your daughter-in-law, or the guilt of not being able to help more.
Her book tackles these emotional undercurrents head-on, while also giving practical tools. Want to connect with your grandchild online?
She explains how to use video calls, photo sharing, and even kid-friendly apps without feeling lost.
Curious about how to support your grandchild’s emotional growth? She shares simple ways to listen, encourage, and build their confidence.
And yes, she really does list “three things you should never say” to your child’s spouse, because good intentions don’t always land the way we hope!
This handbook is perfect for grandparents who want to stay relevant, respectful, and deeply involved.
5. Good to Great Grandparenting
by Neil Taft
At nearly 80 years young and blessed with great-great-grandchildren, Neil Taft writes not just from experience, but from a heart full of gratitude.
His book reads like a conversation over coffee with a wise, energetic elder who’s seen it all and still believes grandparenting is one of life’s greatest gifts. What makes this guide special is its balance of realism and warmth.
Neil doesn’t shy away from today’s tough topics: long-distance relationships, co-grandparenting after divorce, or even the emotional weight of raising your grandchildren full-time.
But he always circles back to hope, connection, and practical steps you can take, like simple activities that build trust, ways to support your adult children without taking over, and how to handle family disagreements with grace.
He also emphasizes something many overlook: your role isn’t just to love your grandchildren, but to help them feel seen and accepted exactly as they are.
Whether your grandchild is quiet, energetic, tech-obsessed, or neurodivergent, Neil reminds you that meeting them “where they are” is the truest form of love.
6. Navigating the First Year as a Modern Grandparent
The first year of a grandchild’s life is magical, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially when parenting advice has changed so much since you raised your own kids.
This book is like a friendly roadmap for those early months, designed specifically for grandparents who want to be supportive without feeling lost.
It walks you through everything from understanding today’s safe sleep guidelines and car seat rules to learning how to respond when your daughter says, “We don’t use pacifiers” or “We’re doing baby-led weaning.”
Instead of making you feel outdated, the book gently updates your knowledge while honoring your wisdom.
There’s also a thoughtful section on emotional transitions. It helps you manage feelings like excitement, nostalgia, or even jealousy. You’ll also find practical tips for planning meaningful visits if you live far away.
Most importantly, it helps you build a strong foundation with both your grandchild and their parents during this delicate, formative time.
7. Today’s Grandmother: Your Guide to the First Two Years
by Angela Bowen
Written especially for grandmothers, this is one of the books for new grandparents that blends medical expertise with heartfelt personal experience.
Angela Bowen is not only a registered nurse and professor who’s spent decades caring for mothers and babies, but she’s also a hands-on grandma who quickly realized that even her professional knowledge needed a refresh!
In clear, reassuring language, she explains modern baby care: from breastfeeding support and sleep training debates to the latest on vaccines, screen time, and baby gear safety.
But beyond the “how-tos,” she focuses on the emotional side of becoming a grandmother again, or for the first time.
- How do you offer help without overstepping?
- What if your parenting style clashes with your daughter’s?
- How do you manage your own emotions when you’re not the one making the big decisions anymore?
Her advice is grounded, kind, and deeply respectful of both generations. This book is a must-read for any grandmother who wants to be informed, involved, and emotionally present during those precious early years.
8. Grandparenting Reimagined: Faith & Family the GenX Way
by Tonya Ludwig
If you were born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, this book speaks directly to your experience as a Gen X grandparent, a role that often gets overlooked in the noise between Baby Boomers and Millennials.
Tonya Ludwig, herself a Gen X grandma, understands the unique position you’re in: you raised your kids with more openness and friendship than your parents did, and now you’re navigating grandparenthood in a world that’s changing faster than ever.
She explores the “sandwich generation” reality. This means caring for aging parents while also supporting your adult children and new grandchildren. She explains how this shapes your approach to family life.
You might feel pulled in different directions: too hands-off for your parents’ taste, too involved for your kids’ comfort. Tonya helps you find your own balanced path, rooted in faith, clear communication, and mutual respect.
Rather than clinging to old traditions or copying new trends, she encourages Gen X grandparents to create something new: a style of grandparenting that’s authentic, flexible, and deeply connected.
If you’ve ever felt “in between” or misunderstood in your family role, this book will make you feel seen and empowered.
Your Journey Begins with a Good Book
Stepping into the role of a grandparent is an adventure filled with love and learning. The right books for new grandparents can be your best friend, offering support and smart ideas every step of the way.
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Whether you want to understand modern parenting or learn how to be a long-distance hero, there is a perfect book waiting for you. Explore these new grandparents books to make your journey even more rewarding and joyful.
