The Grandmother Principles [Hardcover]

Suzette Haden Elgin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

In our rapidly evolving society grandmothers are more necessary than ever before. Author Suzette Haden Elgin. a grandmother of nine, has written this down-to-earth, compellingly readable book to give grandmothers of all ages and experience a guide to basic grandmothering skills. an invaluable reference, and a great comfort.

Guided by the Grandmother Principles -- commonsense aphorisms ranging from "The grandmother way is the easy way" to "Grandmother already have tenure" -- Elgin covers all aspects of grandmothering. Among the many topics addressed are mediating family arguments. coping with emergencies, getting family members to do things they are afraid or unwilling to do, and assembling a family story. Whether you're a traditional granny whose grandchildren live down the block or an ultramodern grandmother who sees the grandkids once a year, The Grandmother Principles is so inspiring and filled with so much indispensable information and advice that any grandmother will want to keep it close at hand at all times. Illustrated with delightful cartoons that underscore the joys and challenges of grandmotherhood, it makes the perfect gift for grandmothers to receive from their children, grandchildren, and other family members, or to give to themselves.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789204312
• ISBN-13: 978-0789204318
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most practical,endearing, & enduring book!, January 1, 1999

By 

Sandra Gordon (Mountain View, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grandmother Principles (Hardcover)

"Grandmother Principles," presents practical, useful, and easy-to-apply suggestions for making the Grandmother experience a VERY good one. Without taking herself too seriously (cartoons run rampant through the book), Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D.(in Linguistics) tells in comforting detail how to be a Grandmother who is welcomed in any family. Grandmother as reliable (not overbearing) source, as clear communicator, as kinship connection - these ideas and more, author Elgin presents with warmth - and the understanding experience that having ten grandchildren herself has provided. MUST reading for Grandmothers & Grandmothers to be. A great gift idea also for parents of young children to give to their own parents. This book is a a what-to-do, what-not-to-do Godsend! -Sandy Gordon

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Fun and Motivational, November 21, 2005

By 

Susan W. Edwards (Southern Pines, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Grandmother Principles (Paperback)

As a person who felt like they could have done a better job of intentional parenting, but for whom that time is past; the idea of being more conscious of how we relate toward grown children and grandchildren was very interesting. Ms. Elgin's ideas are always practical and realistic, and often very creative. I especially liked her suggested solution for a policy regarding loaning money to grown children and grandchildren.

She was clear and emphatic in expressing how a grandmother's contributions can create a core for a family that greatly aids stability and cohesiveness. She suggests things that can be very meaningful over an extended period, and then explains why those things are effective and meaningful. The why's of her book struck home for me, and the things I have shared with other people have been received with positive interest.

I highly recommend the book, and agree with her assertion that grandmothers can provide a badly needed haven for family members in a world that can be overwhelming, often confusing and sometimes actively cruel. I also appreciate that many of her ideas are about how to make life easier and more rewarding for yourself and those you spend time with. She even covers thoroughly how these things apply to long-distance grandmothers who have to do most of their grandmothering over the telephone or through the mail.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a practical, useful book for grandmothers., August 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Grandmother Principles (Hardcover)

THE GRANDMOTHER PRINCIPLES not only explains the ancient art of grandmothering but also gives very detailed techniques that can be used by a grandmother to enhance her relationship with her grandchildren. It is full of very good, very useful ideas.