Grandparenting with Hope:
Wisdom, Resilience, and the Power of Example
Looking for the Helpers: Grandparents on the Front Lines
April 24, 2025
James Allen, the respected British philosophical writer, offered timeless insights into human nature and personal growth. Among his most meaningful quotes are:
“Ask as if,”
“Right thought is mastery.”
“Circumstances do not make the man; they reveal him.”
These words remind us that the way we think, the mindset we adopt, and the grace we display in hard times not only define who we are—they also shape how we influence others.
The Role of Grandparents in Difficult Times
In uncertain or rapidly changing times, we often look to the past for grounding and to the future for hope. As grandparents, we stand uniquely at that intersection. We carry the wisdom of experience and the deep love that comes from watching a new generation grow.
We are taught to focus on what we can control: our actions, our words, our presence. It is a quiet but powerful truth—especially now—that grandparents have an incredible opportunity to be stabilizing, inspiring forces in their grandchildren’s lives.
Be a Role Model of Hope
Now more than ever, our children and grandchildren need to see resilience in action. They need to witness calm in chaos, joy in simplicity, and the strength of quiet perseverance.
What more influential or noble act can we perform than to find hope in these challenging times—and to generously share that hope with those who will carry it forward?
When we smile in the face of uncertainty, when we offer a listening ear or a story from our own childhood struggles, when we model patience, kindness, and perspective—we are shaping lives. We are shaping the future.
The Helpers Among Us
As I’ve shared before, I give my attention to people of hope. These are what Mr. Rogers’ mother lovingly called “the helpers.” In every hardship, she reminded us to “look for the helpers.” They are always there—often quiet, often humble—but they show up. They encourage, they give, they stay steady.
As grandparents, we can be those helpers. We can be the steady hands, the calm voices, the warm hearts that remind our families that they are not alone. Even in small ways—a handwritten note, a shared meal, a bedtime story over video chat—we are planting seeds of hope.
A Legacy of Hope
Hope is not something we passively wait for—it’s something we practice. It’s a habit. And for our grandchildren, it can become a legacy.
Let’s choose to be hopeful, not only for ourselves but for those we love most. Let’s model thoughtfulness, curiosity, and grace. Let’s show them what it looks like to rise, again and again, with love at the center.
In doing so, we don’t just tell our grandchildren what matters—we show them. And that is the heart of grandparenting at its best.
