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You’re preparing for retirement. For many of us, there’s another transition nestled within that one. It comes with joy and little instruction – becoming a grandparent. Celia Dodd, a journalist of 30+ years and grandmother of six, has written the book many grandparents wish they had: one that celebrates the delight and makes room for the honest, complicated feelings nobody admits out loud: Grand Expectations: The Joys and Dilemmas of Being a Grandparent.

This conversation is about permission. Permission to feel torn between the grandchildren you adore and the next chapter you’ve spent years planning. Permission to be your own version of a grandparent rather than the one in your head. Permission to support without interfering, to say no without guilt, and to design these special years deliberately instead of drifting into them.

Celia Dodd joins us from London.

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Celia Dodd is a journalist and author who wrote regularly for The Times of London, the Independent and other national newspapers and magazines, focussing on relationships, family life, health and education. She also wrote profiles of interesting people, including Gordon Ramsay, Lou Reed and actress Juliet Stevenson. 

After thirty years as a journalist she turned to writing books about parenting and major transitions in life, such as the empty nest and retirement. They are subjects close to her heart as well as her own stage in life. 

Her new book is Grand Expectations: The Joys and Dilemmas of Being a Grandparent.  She’s also written All Grown Up: Nurturing relationships with adult children,  Not Fade Away: How to thrive in retirement, The Empty Nest: Your changing family, your new direction  and Conversations with Mothers and Daughters.

Celia has two adult sons and a daughter, and six grandchildren.

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For More on Celia Dodd

Grand Expectations: The Joys and Dilemmas of Being a Grandparent

Celia Dodd’s first visit with us: All Grown Up (on relationships with adult children, and thriving in retirement)

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Retirement Podcast Conversations You’ll Also Love

The Grandparenting Blueprint – Linda & Richard Eyre (Part One)

The Mindful Grandparent – Dr. Shirley Showalter’

Grandparents’ Day – Kerry Byrne & Ted Page

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Wise Quotes

On Grandparenting & Purpose

“Grandparenting has been life-enhancing in so many different ways. It’s brought me a new purpose.”

On Being a Grandparent & Being Yourself

“It’s about being your own version of a grandparent.”

On Relationships with Adult Children

“There’s a fine line is between being supportive and interfering…Don’t give advice unless they ask for it.”

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