The Grandpa Book

Are You Ready?

By: James Ettwein

Narrated by: James Ettwein

Are you a new grandpa? Do you know someone who is? This book offers insights into what being a grandpa is all about. Buy it for yourself or as a gift.

Five years ago I became a grandpa. It's been an amazing experience! These are my thoughts about grandfatherhood. I also offer many tips and techniques to new grandfathers on what to do and how to do it to be the best grandpa possible! I hope you enjoy becoming the world's greatest grandpa.

Read by the author.

©2014 James Ettwein (P)2015 James Ettwein

This is more than about grand parenting.

Would you listen to The Grandpa Book again? Why?

"The Grandpa Book: Are you Ready?" is a fresh breezy collection of the obvious where I was mentally doing palm slaps to my forehead thinking, "Why didn't I think of that?" In fact I had thought of that at one time or another but didn't follow through. The kicker is that I don't have any grand kids yet. But I do interact with the outside world and I am responsible for getting the most out of anyone I'm in a position of power with at work, in volunteer situations, and of course within my own family and circle of friends. Like a seagull once got people thinking about goals, this is about stepped relationships where people can't be equal in the most positive of ways. We have structure in our society that has levels in it.

The information, suggestions, and general ideas apply age appropriately to anyone you might want to develop a relationship with. The basic formula of respect them, pay attention, and respond with something they want, is an excellent formula for life in general. Thinking about relationships is important. While being a grandparent, parenting is already taken care of. It's made clear one should not try to be a substitute for parenting. But how do I want to fit in with this other person? Babysitter, mentor, confident, friend, and disciplinarian, are some of the considerations. Above all else is wanting what's best all around.

For grand parenting it is stressed that the parents make the rules. In the corporate world as we supervise, mentor, and generally try to get the most our of our teams there are the corporate rules. Most of us aren't going to be able to change them so accepting them and working within them gracefully becomes the norm. Genuinely wanting what's best for those who one is put in charge of is the position of the grand parent. Nurturing a team at work where they have confidence you want what is genuinely best for them while respecting the "parents" (those who set the rules) is a magnificent form of leadership if care for fellow human beings is part of the mix. People need to know that they are important to you.

What other book might you compare The Grandpa Book to and why?

This book fits in with may other how to relationship books but it focuses on one thing: How to get the best out of the relationship that is defined as grand parenting. It takes a fresh focused approach on one stepped relationship, grand parent over grand kid, and defines it illustrating what's best for the kid and fun for the grand parent. It translates well into work, volunteer, and other family relationships where one genuinely wants what's best for others.

Which scene was your favorite?

The author deftly steps between the duties of grand parenting that he currently faces and happy memories of having been a grand kid years ago. What made me happy and a better person then? How can I translate that to my own grand kid now?

Any additional comments?

Like a seagull once did for goal setting and motivation I hope this book sweeps America illustrating that what's best for all really is what's best for all. Nurturing and helping others is the best way to get the best out of them. There are lots of practical tips for specific things but it's the general attitude of caring that is most important.

a sweet book!

Would you listen to The Grandpa Book again? Why?

yes, when the time comes for us to become grandparents, i would read this book again.

Which scene was your favorite?

my favorite chapter was when he was describing finding out the news that he was to become a grandfather for the first time.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i did tear-up a bit hearing the sweet stories of remembrance that his friends relayed about their grandfathers.

A must read for grandparents

A wonderful book full of invaluable advice and entertaining, insightful anecdotes for current and prospective Grandparents. Well written and delightfully read. Pick it up. You won't regret it.