Grandparenting (on Love And Relationships Across Generations)

A warm, wise and practical guide to becoming the best grandparent – and parent – you can be

‘Grandparenting is a long-awaited, well-informed, personal and well-researched insight into what it means to be a grandparent... A wonderful book’ JULIA SAMUEL, author of Every Family Has a Story

The birth of a grandchild is a cause for celebration. But when a child becomes a parent themselves, existing family structures are radically altered. Old tensions between parents and their adult children may come into sharp relief, while new relationships with in-laws must be navigated carefully. And at the heart of two families is a small person, whose life will benefit hugely from the love of their grandparents.

In this warm, wise guide to being a modern grandparent, leading psychologist Terri Apter builds on cutting edge research as well as her own experience as a grandparent. Drawing on case studies from across the world, Apter examines the crucial and changing role that grandparents play in our society, from those grandparents who find themselves caring for a grandchild, to how to support a grandchild through their parents’ divorce.

This innovative book is for grandparents and for their adult children as they reimagine their relationships with each other, and become the best parents – and grandparents – that they can be.

‘Grandparenting is a long-awaited, well-informed, personal and well-researched insight into what it means to be a grandparent. Terri Apter is brilliant, warm, human and wise... A wonderful book’ Julia Samuel, author of Every Family Has a Story

''A thoughtful, innovative exploration of the role of grandparents, combining interviews and research against the backdrop of contemporary family life'' Leah Hazard, author of Womb

‘Wise, deep, illuminating and so compassionate – for mothers, daughters, children, everyone who makes a family. I''ve recommended it to many friends, both mums of young children, like myself, who are trying to understand their shifting relationships, and friends who are now at the grandmothering stage. I know it’s a book I’ll return to as time passes’ Liz Berry, author of The Republic of Motherhood

‘In tones of good humour and rare sanity, Grandparenting seamlessly weaves together sage practical counsel, granular observation of intergenerational relationships and relevant context from psychology, neurology and anthropology. An invaluable resource for grandparents and parents alike’ Josh Cohen, author of All the Rage

‘Perceptive, wide-ranging, lively, and astute, this book is a must-read for grandparents and parents alike’ Lisa Appignanesi, author of Everyday Madness: On Grief, Anger, Loss and Love

‘A magnificent book, written by one of the most impressive experts on family psychology... A work of deep emotional sensitivity, Apter has helped us to understand the true complexities of interactions among three intimate generations: babies, parents, and grandparents’ Professor Brett Kahr, Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology

''For those of us who believe mothering lasts forever'' Platinum 

Terri Apter is a psychologist, writer and Fellow Emerita of Newnham College Cambridge. She is the author of many critically acclaimed books on family dynamics, including Altered Loves: Mothers and Daughters During Adolescence (a N