How to be a good Nana

New parents have thousands of books and articles focused on how to be a good parent. There is very little guidance on how to be a good grandparent. Becoming a Nana is not for the faint of heart.

This is the fourth time I have joined the ranks of Nanahood. The first three were much easier. I was too young to really be a Nana and worked too hard and lived too far to have much of an effect. This time I am older, wiser and ready to be a Nana.

Becoming a fully engaged Nana is challenging. How many of us don't wish we had some do-overs in how we raised our own children, or now with the wisdom of time and experience don't wish we could have done some things differently. Combine that with what has been learned, what is the current thinking in child raising and you have a basketful of questions.

But once they break your heart it is too late to turn back.