By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | October 2025
âŒïž Spoiler alert, sugar: we werenât born old … we just got really good at pretending we know what weâre doing.
Listen here, my bright and beautiful young people. Youâre growing up fast, and Memaw sees it. Youâve got the whole internet in your hands, a schedule longer than a CVS receipt, and opinions sharp enough to slice butter. But before you roll your eyes and say âOkay, Boomer,â let Memaw give you a peek behind the curtain of grandparenthood.
Because honey, we may be from another time, but we still remember what itâs like to be you. đ
1ïžâŁ We Were You Once (Minus the Wi-Fi) đ»
We had crushes, heartbreaks, curfews, and bad hair days. We rebelled. We dreamed. We made stupid mistakes and thought nobody understood us. That part of life hasnât changed, just the soundtrack.
Memawâs Tip: When you think we âdonât get it,â try telling us anyway. Youâd be surprised what we remember, and what weâre willing to understand if you give us the chance.
2ïžâŁ Weâre Not Tech-Phobic, Weâre Just Outnumbered đ©âđ»
Yes, we still squint at the phone camera. And yes, half our selfies show only the ceiling fan. But that doesnât mean weâre hopeless. We just didnât grow up with this stuff, but we raised the people who invented it.
Memawâs Tip: Teach us, donât tease us. Show us how to use the apps, help us decode your slang, and for heavenâs sake, donât make fun of our typing speed. Weâre doing our best to keep up because we want to stay close to you.
3ïžâŁ Our Stories Arenât Lectures … Theyâre Love Letters đ
When we start with, âBack in my dayâŠ,â itâs not about bragging or comparing. Itâs about giving you a piece of the world that came before you, the world that made you possible.
Memawâs Tip: Ask us about the old days. Not for a history lesson, but for a treasure map. Our stories are breadcrumbs of where your familyâs been, and maybe clues for where youâre headed.
4ïžâŁ We Worry Because We Care (And Because We Canât Turn It Off) đ
Weâve spent a lifetime watching people we love do brave and risky things. Thatâs why sometimes we nag, or call too much, or remind you to wear a jacket when itâs 50 degrees. Itâs not control, itâs concern.
Memawâs Tip: Be patient with our worry. Send a quick text back now and then. âIâm safe, I love youâ can make an old heart rest easier.
5ïžâŁ You Teach Us More Than You Know đČ
You think weâre the ones passing wisdom down, but weâre learning too: about your world, your values, and your courage. Youâre growing up with empathy, awareness, and authenticity that inspire us daily.
Memawâs Tip: Keep being yourself. You remind us that love stretches, evolves, and learns new dances every generation.
đ Memawâs Final Word đ”
Grandparents and grandkids are proof that time can loop back on itself. Youâre the beginning of a story we started long ago, and weâre the echoes of what youâll someday tell your own kids.
So take a minute, put down the phone, and ask your grandma about her first concert. You might laugh, you might cry, but youâll both walk away feeling a little more seen.
Because, sugar, every generation needs the other to remember who we are. đ
đ©” The Memaw Method: What Parents Need to Know About Grandparents (According to Memaw)
đ©” The Memaw Method: What Todayâs Grandparents Need to Know About Todayâs Teens