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Nice things do come in small packages, and small things are nice to tuck into larger packages. That's exactly the niche I see for Grandma's Short and Sweet Survival Guide, by Erin Joseph. It would be a perfect welcome to grandmotherhood from one grandma to another or even a clever way of letting a eager mom know that she's about to become a grandmom. But this little book is no gimmick.

It is filled with sound relationship advice and useful tips.

Why a Survival Guide?

Grandmotherhood, some would say, isn't something to be survived. It is something to be relished. As a veteran grandmother, I can promise you that it is enjoyable, but there will be times when you think you may not survive the fun. Perhaps it's an outing gone wrong or just a sojourn in a typically chaotic modern household. Or perhaps the energetic grandchildren are running amuck on your home turf. All grandmothers occasionally find themselves out of energy and patience in such situations. Joseph's strategies will keep your smile firmly in place.

On a more serious note, sometimes grandmothers survive but lose their place in the family. I've received hundreds of messages from estranged grandparents, and sometimes the trouble could have been avoided by following advice such as this:

• "Smiling is contagious, and so is being positive. ... Parents love hearing positives."
• "Let discipline come from one source: the parents."

• "Do not leave without having spent time with everyone."
• "When you get the urge to notice faults, make an effort to think of at least one fault of your own that other people have to deal with."

Written by a Mom

If the Survival Guide seems to be extra sensitive to the feelings of the parents, there's a good reason why. The author, Erin Joseph, is actually a young mother rather than a grandmother. You may be certain that she is drawing on personal experience when she writes passages such as this one: "Mom and Dad may have been up all night with a screaming child, a toddler may have been misbehaving all day, Dad may have struggled all day at work." The book contains a number of timely reminders that a grandmother is also a mother and a mother-in-law, and all three roles are important.

Practical Magic

Joseph's book also contains some practical tips and some ways to save money, such as buying toys at second-hand stores. "Toys at these places are often unique...." How true! When I visit conventional toy stores, I see the same merchandise at all. But at a second-hand store or garage sale, you may find a toy from 5, 10, 15, or 20 years ago. You may find something for a grandchild just like a mom or dad once played with. Joseph also offers good advice about making a grandparent's house safe for little ones.

Available from Tate Publishing, Grandma's Short and Sweet Survival Guide is actually a substantial 68 pages, although in a compact size. Buy it for a new grandparent, or for one who is open to new ideas. You won't be shortchanged.

Erin Joseph welcomes questions from grandparents on her website.

Publisher's Site

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.