The Bubbe Diaries

By: Paula Span

Narrated by: Paula Span

When New York Times columnist Paula Span found out she was going to become a grandmother, she went in search of the perfect grandparenting guide but came up short. Where was Dr. Spock for the silver-haired set? In The Bubbe Diaries, Span picks up where Spock left off. She passes along the latest research on sleep, safety, and bonding; explores why mother-in-laws can have tension with daughter-in-laws; and shows how Boomers are finding their own way through grandparenting. Along the way, she shares sweet (and funny) stories about helping to raise her own young granddaughter.

"Listening to The Bubbe Diaries is like sitting down with a friend and fellow grandmother, chatting candidly about what it means to be a grandparent, how the role evolves in each family (and why it's important to talk to the parents about everyone's expectations for that), trips to the playground, long childcare days, playtime and virtual grandparenting, alongside more weighty matters like family estrangement and even death.” (Julie Pfitzinger, Nextavenue.org)

©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

A Must Read (Listen) for Grandparents

This was a really fun dive into the nuances, and some unspoken rules, of becoming and being a grandparent. Told in a humorous way, even interspersed with facts and figures. It's easy to find comparisons to your own, or someone you knows, life. Written in small chapters for easy stop and go listening.

Wonderful musings about becoming a grandparent

I always look forward to Ms Span’s missives in the New York Times. Her book is more of the same thoughtful, reassuring; real-life musings on what makes a family and how to go forward when things are changing - normal changes, like your child having a child of their own, and not-so-normal changes, like this pandemic. She is so measured and kind, you may find yourself wishing you had such a bubbe in your life. Well, I did, anyway. Highly recommended, excellent advice, and a lovely gift for any grandparent.

unexpectedly good and informative

I enjoyed listening to this book. it was engaging. these days, that's what I value most in an audiobook. as a 20-something female not intending to have children, it was still an insightful topic, and will open up conversations with my family. I will recommend to friends with children and in-laws, maybe they'll gain some insight how to handle new grandparents.

The best! Everyone should listen.

This is such a special series of stories. Paula Span is the perfect guide to grandparenting — she’s a beautiful storyteller and she never presumes to know it all, although after listening to her diaries, you’ll trust her judgment as least as well as your own. There are so many memorable anecdotes from the front lines, about: grandparent-parent diplomacy, the moment a grandchild bonds with you, what you say when a grandchild asks you if you’re going to die, how Boomers have changed grandparenting (and how they’ve tried but failed to change it). It’s all wise, very witty and brimming with love. I laughed many times and also needed some tissues along the way. Span’s voice is very inviting. I’d describe it as real—no pretense, no hyperbole. She lets her stories speak for themselves. Any grandparent will absolutely love The Bubbe Diaries. But I also feel certain that parents —as the middle-persons between grandparents and their grandchildren—will love it. They’ll recognize themselves, their kids and their parents in many of the stories. And who knows? Maybe they, too, will learn valuable wisdom from Bubbe.

Loved this so much!

I’m a Nana (not a Bubbe!) here to say I found this to be a funny, wise, heartwarming book. I laughed with recognition, learned more than a few new things, and yes, at times I got all choked up (verklempt, in Bubbe talk!). I loved listening to the author’s narration. It’s a gem of a book.

Great Read

Wonderfully informative! I wish I had this information years ago. I enjoyed listening to Bubbles advice.

Outstanding book!

I am expecting my first grandchild in August and wanted to listen to this book to get prepared and hopefully prevent any missteps with my son and his wife. The author does a fantastic job giving advice for lots of things you may not think of. The stories of her own granddaughter are precious. I would recommend this book to every grandparent or grandparent to be. I look forward to listening to it again!

Bubbe

An excellent discussion of relationships, growing up with a toddler and the interplay between a grandma and her young grandchild. This is a wonderful essay and presented with a loving attitude that we should all display Alevei

Loved it.

Being a Bubbie was something I looked forward to for a very long time. My daughter and her husband asked my husband and me to be with her during labor and the birth of our granddaughter. It was a thrill for both of us. We lived about an hour or so from the new parents. I left my employment to help our daughter several days a week. Paula's Experience and excellent advice was greatly appreciated. Now that their family has moved to England for two years we currently use Whatsap to "see" each other and also keep in touch using texting. My grandchildren have tutored me in the art of technology. I am 74 years old and never any of these things before. Not ideal be with the pandemic it's the best alternative but I still love seeing and talking with them.
Paula knows of what she speaks.

The Perfect Gift for Expectant Grandparents

I've read and loved Paula Span's Generation Grandparent column in the New York Times since its inception. Hearing her wise and funny words come together as one cohesive meditation on grandparenting --especially in Span's steady, reassuring voice--takes the experience to another level. As a not-yet grandparent, I see the Bubbe Diaries not as a "grandparenting manual" but as a gentle and honest love letter to the grandparenting journey, alerting us to the wonders that may very likely lie ahead, the challenges adult children and their parents will probably face, and how we can make the most of this extraordinary chapter in so many of our lives. Yes, it's a perfect expectant grandparent gift. But I think parents themselves will eat it up, too.