The Grandpa's Manual

Book excerpt: Being a Grandpa does not come with a book of instructions. Every Grandpa is as unique as a fingerprint, and each relationship with his grandkids usually molds itself into a customized experience of mutual advice, wisdom, and suggestions. Sometimes you just get crazy with each other. The Grandpa’s Manual is not a how-to book. It is a collection of stories encouraging men to become whatever kind of Grandpa they desire to be. It is written so the reader can pause, put it down, and say, “Hmm, I never thought of that!” Building a relationship with your grandkids is important business. So when grandkids look to Grandpa for advice and wisdom, they can see that Grandpas have grandkid challenges in the relationship too. Take for instance when your grandkid suffers a breakup with his first true love and concludes he cannot share his broken heart with Mom, Dad, or his little sister. Mom is a girl. Dad sometimes does not take it really seriously. And little sister may know his true love, and nothing will ever be sacred again. Who may be the one who will listen, not judge, and help soothe that broken spirit? It may be Grandpa. Grandpa has probably been in the same situation and knows how to stitch up the wound. Grandpa, have you ever raced your grandkid in a go-kart? Or have you run a zip line lately? What would you say if your grandkid asked you what it would be like to die? Do dogs go to heaven? What is prayer, and who is God? Have you ever tried to bake bread with your grandkid when neither one of you knows how to bake bread? How do you handle life when Grandma dies? Where is the boundary line with Mom and Dad when it comes to giving opinions and advice? The Grandpa’s Manual walks with you as you seek answers to these and many other questions. It is an exciting book that will move you in the direction of establishing the greatest role on earth—being a Grandpa.