Grandparents in the White House

Did you know that Michelle Obama’s mother is not the first grandparent to live in the White House? I didn’t, but I was reading an article today and according to it  Ulysses S. Grant’s father-in-law, Frederick Dent, lived there for a few years. Harry S. Truman’s mother-in-law, Madge Gates Wallace, moved in despite her dislike for Truman. Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, had both her mother, Sally Bolling, and sister, Bertha, live with them.

Marian Robinson, Mrs. Obama’s mother, lived in Chicago all her life and was reluctant to move to Washington, but now is enjoying living there.

According to AARP, Mrs. Robinson’s move to the White House puts the Obamas in the same category with at least 1 million American families in which the head of the household shares the home with both his or her parents and children.

Multigenerational living arrangements are becoming more common, rising to 6.2 million households in 2008, up from 5 million in 2000.

My grandmother lived with us for several years and the experience enriched the whole family. Do any of you have grandparents living with you? If so, share your story with us at Nanahood. We’d love to hear from you!