Grand Life
Strengthening the Mother-Daughter Bond, Part 2
My daughter Alexandra Kondos shares her perspective on how Callister's birth has strengthened our relationship.
Resolutions for Grandparents
Inspired by my new grandson, I've come up with five resolutions for 2018.
All I Want For Christmas
My wish list to Santa is full of intangible items not easily purchased in a mall.
So Many Grandparents, So Little Holiday Time
Compromise, flexibility and kindness are key when there are four sets of grandparents and just one grandson.
Present Pitfalls
Avoid these mistakes when purchasing holiday gifts for your grandchildren.
Christmas Traditions with Grandkids
As someone who has overcomplicated holiday traditions in the past, I want to be mindful when establishing new traditions with my grandson.
Becoming the Matriarch
Being the matriarch is a bittersweet responsibility, reminding me of my parents' passing and my own mortality, but also presenting the opportunity to create new family traditions and memories.
A Grandparent's Legacy
I wish I had a written record of my grandparents' stories and childhood memories; with this in mind, I've started keeping a "Grandmother Memories" book for Callister.
How to Spoil Your Grandchildren
It's important, if challenging, to find the right balance between being an indulgent grandparent and respecting boundaries set by your grandkid's parents.
Five Things I Didn't Expect as a Grandparent
My grandson's arrival has changed my life in surprising ways.
Grandparenting and the Opioid Crisis
Opioid addiction has forced many grandparents into the role of primary caregiver for their grandchildren.
Strengthening the Mother-Daughter Bond
My daughter and I have always been close, but the birth of Callister has brought us closer than ever.
Story Time with Callister
There are many benefits of reading to your child or grandchild, even before they are old enough to comprehend the words.
Genetic Connection Not Required
My husband is technically Callister's step-granddad, but their strong bond makes it easy to forget they're not biologically related.
Stay-At-Home Son-In-Law
Stay-at-home dads were an oddity when I was a child; thankfully, this is changing.
Not Your Grandmother's Cloth Diapers
When my daughter told me she was planning to use cloth diapers, I was skeptical; but a visit to a local diapering boutique won me over.
The Power of a Grandmother
My grandmother's love, strength and faithfulness have shaped both my life and my vision of the grandmother I want to be.
Out and About
Lessons learned from my first outing with Callister.
Daycare with Grandma
I’m on my second week of providing part-time care for my grandson; here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Grand Life
Adventures in Grandparenting
About This Blog
Welcome to Grand Life, the TulsaKids blog that explores the wonderful adventures of grandparenting! Join me and my grandchildren as we explore interesting activities and visit family friendly sites in Tulsa. This blog shares the joys and challenges of grandparenting as well as the various roles grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives.
When I’m not doting on my grandchildren, I love to read, write, and compete in open water swims and triathlons.
I have published a memoir, The Long Road to Happy: A Sister's Journey Through Her Brother's Disabilities, through The RoadRunner Press. Please visit my author website for more information, dianemorrowkondos.com.
Feel free to reach out by emailing me at
dianekondos@yahoo.com.
I’m also on Instagram @tulsakidsgrandlife.
