Grandparents & Extended Families
Extended families can be a joy—and a challenge. Motherly’s got you covered with advice and essays from other mamas who’ve been there.
8 ways to plan a grandparent visit that feels joyful, not stressful
A little foresight turns “Are they staying how long?” into “That was so good for everyone.” Use these eight mom-tested strategies to protect routines, honor boundaries and make space for real connection.
Keep grandparents in the loop: 7 tech-simple ways to share memories
Grandparents want the everyday moments, not just the milestones. These easy, low-tech steps help you share photos, videos and stories without creating extra work.
How grandparents shape childhood memories
From bedtime stories to Saturday pancakes, grandparents can leave a gentle imprint that lasts a lifetime. Here is how to nurture the magic, even from miles away.
Why community is a survival tool for new moms
The first weeks home are beautiful and brutal. Building a circle of care is not optional. It is how you sleep, heal, and find yourself again.
5 ways to help grandparents stick to your child’s routine
Love the grandparents and still protect the rhythms that keep your child regulated. These strategies help you set clear, kind guardrails that stick.
The invitation that can quietly turn in-laws into strangers
“It’s okay to have family trips that don’t include every branch of the family tree."
Raising kids in a multigenerational home: honoring everyone’s role
A kind, practical guide to make multigenerational living smoother, more connected, and fair for the whole family.
The quiet work of grandparents in new parenthood
Grandparents are the invisible scaffolding in many new families. Here is what research shows about their impact, the pressures they carry, and how parents can partner with them in safe, loving, clear ways.
How grandparents can help (6 ways without overstepping)
Grandparents are the village personified, and a steady presence matters. Here are six simple, research-backed ways to support your grandkids and their parents without stepping on toes.
What if paying grandparents for child care could solve America’s childcare crisis?
The childcare solution America keeps overlooking might already be living down the street.
Mom surprises her grandparents with twin pregnancy—50 years after they had twins of their own
A recent pregnancy announcement wasn't just personal news – it was a beautiful echo of her grandparents' past.
This dad turned his daughter’s due date into the ultimate family game—and the internet is obsessed
He even makes his own lined paper—a detail TikTok can’t get over.
Retired neighbors surprise kids with Easter baskets—and what happens next will warm your heart
It's more than just a sweet gesture—it's a reminder of the kind of neighbors we all hope to have. Or better yet, the kind of neighbors we all can be.
A pediatrician grandma’s $20 travel tip is going viral—and parents are rushing to Amazon
A pediatrician—and grandma—holds up a tiny device that costs just around $20—and parents everywhere are calling it a game-changer
Mom blocks visitors from meeting her baby—and accidentally creates a moment no one will forget
Newborn boundaries can be tough to enforce—especially when you're a first-time mom and your extended family can’t wait to meet the baby.
A grandmother helps deliver her grandson in a car—just hours after losing her own mother
The timing of Noah’s birth—just hours after the passing of his great-grandmother—felt like something more than coincidence.
Mom accidentally recreates childhood photo with grandparents—25 years later
It wasn’t just the pose that was eerily similar—Amelia was wearing the exact same white dress her mom had worn 25 years earlier.
You won’t believe this grandma’s hilarious reaction to a pregnancy test mix-up
When the truth finally clicked—that her youngest grandchild was having a baby—her face transformed with the kind of joy that can’t be rehearsed.
Grandpa skips to school with granddaughter to help single mom—and wins the Internet
In the TikTok video Samantha shared on her account, @samanthabrookex, she explains how her dad steps in on the days her mental health makes leaving the house difficult.
This grandpa has all of TikTok crying over a father/daughter dance—and we are not okay
In a viral video, we see a little girl get the father/daughter dance of her dreams, thanks to her incredible grandpa.