“The numbers of grandparents are at record highs and still growing at more than twice the overall population growth rate. There were an estimated 65 million grandmothers and grandfathers in 2010. By 2020, they are projected to reach 80 million, at which time they will be nearly one-in-three adults.”
from The MetLife Report on American Grandparents
Wow, there sure are a lot of us!
While having a grandchild makes a grandparent, it doesn’t make us all alike. In fact, we are a very diverse group. If the only vision that comes to mind when you hear the word “grandparent” is a little old lady with white hair sitting in a rocking chair then you might be surprised to know that most grandparents don’t look anything like that.
For example, did you know that Mick Jagger has 4 grandchildren and is about to be a great-grandfather? The Rolling Stones just celebrated 50 years together and they are still touring.
More famous grandparents who show no signs of slowing down: Goldie Hawn, Nancy Pelosi, Lionel Richie, Pierce Brosnan, Rod Stewart and Jim Carrey, just to name a few.
And then there are grandparents like me, who aren’t famous but still think being a nana (or poppa) is one of the best things that ever happened to them.
What do we look like?
Like this…
Me, hanging out with Peg Leg Pete
And like this, Poppa Bill showing granddaughter how it’s done!
And like this, Nana Martha rocking 1 of her 8 grandchildren. Yes, we know how to rock babies but we know how to rock and roll too!
Being a parent is great and being a grandparent is grand!
More statistics you may not know….
- A majority of grandparents today are Baby Boomers ages 45 to 64 years old. As a result, today’s grandparents are more likely to be college graduates and fully employed than at any time in the past.
- About one in every ten households headed by someone who is a grandparent has at least one grandchild living with them. Part of the reason for this is the recession-driven high unemployment among their grandchildren’s parents.
- About one-in-five grandparents are African-American, Hispanic, or Asian compared to two-in-five young adults, indicating that grandparents will become more diverse in the future.
Link up with me please!
Visiting from the Finding Myself Young 52 Weeks of Memories project…love the photo and love the advice! Thanks for sharing!
Author
Thanks, Neesie. I enjoyed parenthood too. Children are precious!
Author
That is the sweetest comment! So glad your children have their grandparents to enjoy and glad your parents have their grandchildren. NanaHood rocks!
Author
Yes, that’s true but life happens and one day you will be a nana too! Parenthood is awesome but so is nanahood!
Awe great pics and I bet you can rock – n- roll. Not so sure I am even close thinking about what it will be like to be a grandparent. I have to get these kids past kindergarten before I can do that 🙂 grin
Grandparents do rock! In my children’s eyes, their grandparents are like their superstars and at the same time are also their own private mini fanclub. It seems contradictary, but somehow the relationship works. I just love seeing the two generations interact with each other. I am so incredibly grateful that my children have such a privilege to be able to know and love their grandma and grandpa.
A gorgeous post Teresa ;D
I’ve yet to have the pleasure of being able to call myself a grandma.
Hopefully I will one day but not just yet.
They are such a valuable resource, I’m so glad my parents are in my children’s lives, I never really knew mine so hope I can be around to see my grandkids also!
Author
Thanks for commenting Dominique!
Author
Enjoy those twins! Mine are 22 now. Can’t believe it!
Author
Thanks for commenting, Lauren! Appreciate your visit!
Author
So cool! I bet you do rock, Erika! Love your site!
Author
I know. Me too. My babies (twins) are 22, 6 foot 8 and wear size 16 shoes. How does that happen?
Author
Life happens and we are always surprised by how quickly time passes. Blessings to you Claire!
Great pictures, I still can’t believe my friend who is a day younger has a 2 year old granddaughter 🙂
I’m still trying the grasp the thought of having grown kids…
Yes – grandparents do rock =)
Totally agree – we have my 2 step-granddaughters staying with us for the half term break, and they think we rock too!!!
That’s really interesting. I agree that grandparents rock and are a diverse bunch!
I’m old enough be a GP and have a 20yr son (as well as 7yr old twins who love their Nana).
I think GP are grand , my Mum rocks but I’m in no hurry .
Grandparents certainly Rock.. they are really cool and hip too 🙂
Author
Thanks Christina!
Author
Blessings to you Kristi, and I love being a nana!
Author
Thanks for commenting Diana!
Author
He’s my new/old boyfriend!
Author
Congrats!
Author
You’ll get to nanahood one of these days!!!! Hang in there!!!!
Great pictures and interesting tidbits. I’d love to be a grandma, but we’re at that inbetween stage. Adult children but no marriages or grandkids.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/02/ww-sad-news.html
I’m gonna be a grandma in April for the first time, and I am lovin’ it!
I love the photo of you hangin’ with Peg Leg Pete!
Great photos! Glad everyone had a great time!
Great pictures! You seem like a hands-on grandparent! The best kind. My mother-in-law is like that. She is a blessing. Hope you are having a great week. Thanks for the linky.
My kids are growing up with three sets of grandparents and all are in pretty good health. All of them are still working full-time, except for one who retired. I love your little saying about knowing how to rock. 😉
Author
Thanks for commenting!
Author
Wow, you are young grandparents! More time (and energy) to enjoy them all!
Author
Thanks Steve and glad you had great grandparents!
I agree they rock mine were fantastic 😉
Have a rocktastic week 😉
We are grandparents as 3 of my husband’s children now have little ones though we never get to see them. Unfortunately. It is hard to wrap my head around the fact that I am a grandparent at 40. Guess that is what happens when you have children at a young age.
Totally agree – grandparents rock!