Official Review: So, You're Raising Your Grandkids!

[LV2R]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "So, You're Raising Your Grandkids!" by Harriet Hodgson.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The title of Harriet Hodgson’s book, So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids! Tested Tips, Research, & Real-Life Stories to Make Your Life Easier describes the book very well. Hodgson shares her experiences in raising her twin grandchildren after their mother and father both died in the same year, gives her tested tips on many issues and reports many facts from her research findings.

According to the author’s research, there has been an increasing number of grandparents raising grandchildren. This increase has been not only from a loss of the grandchildren’s parents but also from divorce, mental illness, disease, poverty, domestic violence, and drug addiction.

Though Hodgson shared a lot of facts from her extensive research on topics such as grief, stress, health, behavior problems, learning, play, communication, and much more, she incorporated her findings in with her own experiences. This made the writing sound more personal and interesting and not just a lot of facts. She summarized each chapter and gave “What Works” by listing ten main points after the chapter. This was a great way to re-emphasize the things she found most helpful and action steps one could take.

There were so many useful things to know about grandparents raising grandchildren. I best liked that Hodgson invited readers to join in with the mission “to protect, care for, encourage, and love our grandchildren more each day.” (Page 4) This was the overarching theme of the book, in spite of any difficulties one may likely face raising grandchildren. I liked that there was a chapter on good communication and listening techniques to use with grandchildren. The three-part assertions that the author explained would be a useful tool in communicating with anyone. I liked the practical advice given on having rules, having fun, and building a “grandfamily.” Though I did not like that Hodgson had to experience the loss of family members, I really admired her positive outlook and way to get through her pain. She stated on page 114: “The acceptance of pain shortens its duration …”

At the end of the book, the author included helpful websites and links to all the articles she used in her research, as well as links to support organizations for grandparents raising grandchildren, definitions she used in the book, and her tested and tried tips.

I rate So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids! by Harriet Hodgson a 4 out of 4 stars. The book is edited extremely well, as I only found one error. The book is organized in a logical way, and the author shared much helpful information and advice for grandparents raising grandchildren earning no less than a four-star rating. I would recommend this book for grandparents, parents, and educators, as it can help with communication and other needs of children. This book could also be useful for caregivers, as it has tips on how to manage stress and health changes.

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So, You're Raising Your Grandkids!
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Like LV2R's review? Post a comment saying so!

[DogoMulla]

It's unfortunate that there's so much going on in our world today. A grandparent shouldn't be the one to raise their grandchildren. I feel like this book would be of great use if such misfortune occurs. Thank you.

[Creator22]

I have seen too many unfortunate happenstances that force kids to be raised by grandparents. Most of the time, the kids haven't had the luck of experiencing good parenting. Some have managed to rise above all odds while many succumbed to bad choices. This book will give strength to families that experience such tragedies. At least it will help people see simplicity in the complications that arise. Thanks for your review LV2R.

[ElizaBeth Adams]

I love that the author chose to encourage other grandparents who are raising grandkids. No matter what we face in life, it can be helpful to know we are not the only one who has faced a similar situatuon before, and it's nice to get the perspective of someone who's been there. Thanks for an excellent review.

[kdstrack]

The author writes from a unique perspective. Although she is a grandmother, her role has been changed from spoiling her grandkids to disciplining and caring for them. This book is a reflection of our times. Thanks for the great recommendation.

[Julie Petitbon]

I love the author's mission to protect and love her grandchildren. She is an inspiration to others - suffering so much loss yet still managing to remain positive and optimistic. This sounds like a book that will help many people. Thanks for the wonderful review.

[Wriley]

My youngest children are middle school age and there are many grandparents that I know raising their grandkids. Some accure because of death but most are that the grandparents home is stable and the parents aren't. This book sounds like a great reference for grandparents in a position that they never expected.

[Michgal 32]

So many grandparents are taking care of their grandchildren especially where I come from. This is one book that would help them a lot, more importantly the part on communication. Great review.

[Steven Samuel]

This book touches a vital area in our world today. A rather sad aspect. Am glad some thought it worthwhile to write on it and offer prospective help and suggestions.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

Grandparents acting as the main caregivers seems to be increasingly common. Besides the situations you mention, sometimes both parents have to work full time and the education of the kids falls into the grandparents' hands, so I'm glad there's a guide like this one to help them through it. My grandma was a very important life of my childhood, so this book brings back fond memories. I think all kinds of families can thrive, given the proper care and love.
Amazing review, thank you!

[Espie]

You've reminded me of my grandparents, and I've only got fond memories of them. On a more practical note, the book's theme is a common phenomenon nowadays that makes its purpose quite timely as well. Thank you for your insightful review.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Reading the book title is enough to get an idea about the book, and it discusses a very timely as well as important topic. I am not sure whether this is globally applicable, but atleast the tips will be applicable to where the researches were done. Congratulations on being BOTD

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

This is an inspirational non-fiction giude book on grandchildren being raised by grandparents due to divorce, death, mental illness,
disease, poverty, domestic
violence, and drug addiction. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited and has a well-written OnlineBookClub review that describes it perfectly. Congrats @healthmn1 on the BOTD selection.

[Ivona R]

I think it's good that a book like this one exists, I feel like others who are in the same situation would greatly appreciate it.

[Amy+++]

I feel that many grandparents will find this book helpful.