Becoming Grandma

The Joys and Science of the New Grandparenting

By: Lesley Stahl

Narrated by: Lesley Stahl

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best seller.

From one of the country’s most recognizable journalists: How becoming a grandmother transforms a woman’s life.

After four decades as a reporter, Lesley Stahl’s most vivid and transformative experience of her life was not covering the White House, interviewing heads of state, or researching stories at 60 Minutes. It was becoming a grandmother. She was hit with a jolt of joy so intense and unexpected, she wanted to “investigate” it - as though it were a news flash. And so, using her 60 Minutes skills, she explored how grandmothering changes a woman’s life, interviewing friends like Whoopi Goldberg, colleagues like Diane Sawyer (and grandfathers, including Tom Brokaw), as well as the proverbial woman next door.

Along with these personal accounts, Stahl speaks with scientists and doctors about physiological changes that occur in women when they have grandchildren; anthropologists about why there are grandmothers, in evolutionary terms; and psychiatrists about the therapeutic effects of grandchildren on both grandmothers and grandfathers.

Throughout Becoming Grandma, Stahl shares stories about her own life with granddaughters Jordan and Chloe, about how her relationship with her daughter, Taylor, has changed, and about how being a grandfather has affected her husband, Aaron.

In an era when baby boomers are becoming grandparents in droves and when young parents need all the help they can get raising their children, Stahl’s book is a timely and affecting LISTEN that redefines a cherished relationship.

©2016 Lesley Stahl (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] energetic, informative, and often touching book….Stahl includes stories of generational conflict [and] plentiful glimpses of her family’s joys and those of many others...No matter where readers fall in age or experience, this book should top their 2016 reading list of parenting titles.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Lesley Stahl brings the keen reporting we know from '60 Minutes' to the story of grandparenting. Amazed and delighted at the joy she experienced with the arrival of own two granddaughters, Stahl set about finding out why that was true. Her wise answers, both scientific and practical, provide useful information not only for grandparents and the children they cherish, but also for the wider society. This is a wonderfully fun read about an important subject.” (Cokie Roberts, author of We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters)

“Award-winning broadcast journalist Stahl [investigates] the importance of the role grandparents can play in the lives of their children and grandchildren.... Through the medium of her own experiences, the author delivers a wise and witty book. A welcome guide for new grandparents and their children looking to savor the joys and navigate the pitfalls of grandparenting.” (Kirkus)

Looved the book!!!

Loved the book!! Easy and interesting..lots of interesting facts. So looking forward to become a grandmother even my son is just 4;)

Lesley wrote what was in my heart

Joyful , intellectual, researched point of view -on a wonderful time of life. It made me laugh and cry as it touched my heart.

touching, well written, familiar voice

loved this book. as a young mom i read it and gained insight into my mother and mother in laws perspective. great wisdom. enjoyable read.

Amazingly accurate

I recently became a grandmother for the first time 20 months ago and I think I have removed all of the feelings and events that Leslie expressed in her book. I never thought I wanted to be a grandma, And now I can't ever imagine not being one. My grandchildren are soul of my heart!!! Thank you Leslie for sharing a different side of yourself and a perspective that really helps if there is any way to truly explain how it feels you did an amazing job.

Grandmother's Unite

Wonderful to know there are others who experience such infinitely whole love and yet, have similar struggles with daughters-in-law.

Great book!

I’m so happy that I listened to this book, my daughter is about to have my first grandchild and this book really help me to understand what is expected of me as the grandmother! Ty!

Loved the mix of personal experience and research

As a soon-to-be grandma, I appreciated the author’s candor regarding her own experience. An unexpected bonus was all the research-backed information.

A validation of a special passage in life.

I loved this book, by Lesley. She made me feel all right that I made mistakes as a parent and helped me understand and accept the role that the mother of sons plays as the grandmother. It’s not pretty, but maturity in all parties can make it work. I’d be honored to be one of Lesley’s “luncheonettes” one day.

Hit the nail on the head

Wow, both entertaining with a bunch of scientific facts. My heart understands this and more now that I’m a grandmother. Great book and a fantastic story of life and love of a devoted grandmother.

Great compilation of 21st century grandmas

Loved Lesley Stahl's indepth research of the many different shandras of what it's like and obstacles from Grandmas around the country.