“Thou shalt honor the parents of your grandchildren. That’s the most effective way to build lasting family relationships.”
— Neil Taft
🧩 Episode Summary
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I reconnect with author and grandparenting expert Neil Taft to explore the evolving role of grandparents in modern families. Neil shares insights from his newest book, Caring Grandparents, and explains how grandparents can both care about and care for their grandchildren.
We discuss the emotional and financial realities of grandparents raising grandchildren, the importance of respecting family boundaries, and Neil’s viral TikTok moment that reached over 2 million people. His message — “Honor the parents of your grandchildren” — has become a mantra for building healthy, lasting family relationships.
You will walk away with wisdom on communication, compassion, and the power of being a “good seer and good sayer.”
💡 Key Takeaways
- Grandparenting today means balancing love, support, and boundaries.
- “Caring Grandparents” highlights both caring for and about grandchildren.
- Over 2.5 million U.S. households are led by grandparents raising grandchildren.
- Neil’s viral message reminds us: “The mother is the queen who holds the keys to the castle.”
- Healthy grandparenting starts with empathy, communication, and affirmation.
- Being a “good seer and good sayer” transforms relationships across generations.
🔗 Links & Resources
- Click on this link to download your free copy of The Caring Grandparents Connection Guide: https://cool-grandpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Caring_Grandparents_Connection_Guide.docx
- 🖥️ Visit Neil’s website: CaringGrandparents.com
- 📚 Learn more about Neil’s books: Good to Great, Grandparenting & Caring Grandparents
- 🎧 Listen to previous episode: Good Seer, Good Sayer: https://cool-grandpa.com/2024/09/26/ep-201-good-seer-good-sayer/
- Visit Dr. Kerry Byrnes’ group at https://thelongdistancegrandparent.com/
- Check out Aaron Larson’s community at: https://www.grandparentsacademy.com/
- Of course, you’re going to want to find Popa Jammie, aka James Lott Jr., on his YouTube channel using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbunerNsVDOMLCrInkAzow
- You can watch this conversation with me and Neil on YouTube by using this link: https://youtu.be/wTsihHEsoDk
🌐 Follow The Cool Grandpa Podcast: cool-grandpa.us
More Than Grand 
Grandfathers have a unique and meaningful role to play in grandchildren’s development, yet they often find themselves behind the scenes, on the sidelines, or less engaged than they’d like to be. This masterclass delivers a playbook for helping grandfathers level up their influence and impact. Listeners to The Cool Grandpa Podcast can receive 40% off this course by using Cool40 at checkout.
Founded in 2011 by Aaron Larsen as a way to honor his grandparents, GrandparentsAcademy.com is the world’s first and only online academy dedicated to helping grandparents grow meaningful relationships and rich legacies with their loved ones.
