Host Andrew Urquhart is joined by John Cowan to discuss how to be a better grandparent without undermining the parents doing the hard daily work. Cowan reflects on how grandparents often soften with age, enjoying "all care, no responsibility" moments with grandchildren, while needing to take seriously the discipline, safety and diet standards their own children now uphold.

Cowan argues the key to a lasting relationship with grandchildren is respect: backing children's parenting choices rather than allying with grandkids against them, and asking what advice or resources parents are already using before offering opinions. He contends modern parents are, in general, more intentional and better resourced than previous generations, and warns that an attitude of "I've done this before, I know best" is the biggest threat to grandparents staying closely involved in their grandchildren's lives.

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For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.