The First-Time Grandmother's Journal

 

The First-Time Grandmother’s Journal by Lisa Carpenter

The First-Time Grandmother's Journal by Lisa Carpenter

One of the greatest joys in life is becoming a grandparent for the first time  While you are still a grandmother-to-be, it is a good time to plan for the wonder of it all.  For most of us there is this long space of time between when our now grown kids were kids themselves and when we have babies and young children – now as grandchildren in our lives again.  We are more than ready.  We can’t wait.  What to do??

The First-Time Grandmother's Journal is an excellent resource to plan, reflect and record your experience.  The first part of the journal is for before the baby is born and the second part is for the first year of your grandchild’s life. Some pages have thoughtful notes of advice to guide you on your new journey as a grandmother.  Many pages are setup for journaling – the old fashioned way with an actual pen in your hand – and just have a topic and brief prompts for that topic and lots of space for you to write  - your plan, hopes, experiences, reflections and whatever you want. 

 

This will be a recording of your personal legacy as a grandmother.  Perhaps you will read it each future time you become a grandmother.  You will smile and reflect on how many of same feelings you have, what you have learned and how each time you become a grandmother it is a whole new experience because each child is unique and each human relationship is unique. One baby wants to snuggle and be held and another does not.  One toddler likes to cuddle up and listen as you read five books.  The other toddler just wants to run and jump and won’t stand still.  Whatever you experience – adapt and enjoy!  In fact this journal is excellent for each time you become a grandmother – not only the first time.

The First Time Grandmother’s Journal is an excellent companion as you journey along from learning that you will be a grandmother to being one.  It is an excellent gift for the Grandmother-to-Be.  I always bring along a small grandmother gift to baby showers and this will now be my go to gift for new grandmothers. 

I strongly recommend that you check out Grandma’s Briefs, Lisa Carpenter’s excellent grandmother blog.  It is the best grandma blog available.  You can order The First Time Grandmother’s Journal at amazon.  See the link below.

Full disclosure:  I received a free review copy of this book. I did not receive compensation for this review and I was under no obligation to provide a review.  This review is my honest opinion.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Why Doesn't my Grandchild Zip his Jacket?

I had never heard of “Brown Fat” until recently but apparently it is a real thing. Of course, I have observed many times kids in very cold weather tossing their hats, gloves and jackets. Even when we tell them to put that jacket back on because we don’t want them to get sick they are reluctant to do so. Why is that? Is it just because they are constantly moving? Apparently not. 

It turns out that kids have more brown fat than adults. Unlike regular old white fat, which stores calories, mitochondria-packed brown-fat cells burn energy and produce heat. And it is activated by cold! This actually happens for adults too – we have some brown fat too. Having you ever been out in freezing temperatures shoveling snow and actually began to feel too hot with the clothing you have put on for the very reason to keep you warm? I certainly have. It is probably because you are activating your brown fat. 

Just this morning my grandson and I were shoveling snow together. He was at our house for a sleepover because his school is on winter break. He headed out with an open jacket and although I suggested that he zip it up he ignored that advice. I was, of course, bundled up. He was fine and not bothered by the cold weather at all. I stayed bundled up but was quite warm when I took my jacket off inside. I think we were both burning some brown fat and thus stayed warm with different amounts of layering. 

Zach may have been burning some brown fat, but he was happy to have the grandma version of hot chocolate – topped with Redi-Whip AND marshmallows! I had some Twinings red rooibis tea - no Redi Whip or marshmallows needed. 

Moral of the story – don’t get too worried about that hatless, open jacket grandchild. Perhaps let them just enjoy the cold their way.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter