The Bubbe Diaries

By: Paula Span

Narrated by: Paula Span

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

When New York Times columnist Paula Span found out she was going to become a grandmother, she went in search of the perfect grandparenting guide but came up short. Where was Dr. Spock for the silver-haired set? In The Bubbe Diaries, Span picks up where Spock left off. She passes along the latest research on sleep, safety, and bonding; explores why mother-in-laws can have tension with daughter-in-laws; and shows how Boomers are finding their own way through grandparenting. Along the way, she shares sweet (and funny) stories about helping to raise her own young granddaughter.

"Listening to The Bubbe Diaries is like sitting down with a friend and fellow grandmother, chatting candidly about what it means to be a grandparent, how the role evolves in each family (and why it's important to talk to the parents about everyone's expectations for that), trips to the playground, long childcare days, playtime and virtual grandparenting, alongside more weighty matters like family estrangement and even death.” (Julie Pfitzinger, Nextavenue.org)

©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

For all bubbles and other grandparents

If you are or hope to be a grandparent this is for you. Paula Span tells all our stories and supports them with her extensive research and interviews. Charming, intelligent and witty, we kvell at Bartola’s accomplishments and share Span’s joy. Don’t miss this one.

Span-- Bubbe Diaries

Paula Span explores all the aspects of grand-parenting-- and of being a grandparent--that I've never articulated for myself but have surely felt. A lovely listen.

The best! Everyone should listen.

This is such a special series of stories. Paula Span is the perfect guide to grandparenting — she’s a beautiful storyteller and she never presumes to know it all, although after listening to her diaries, you’ll trust her judgment as least as well as your own. There are so many memorable anecdotes from the front lines, about: grandparent-parent diplomacy, the moment a grandchild bonds with you, what you say when a grandchild asks you if you’re going to die, how Boomers have changed grandparenting (and how they’ve tried but failed to change it). It’s all wise, very witty and brimming with love. I laughed many times and also needed some tissues along the way. Span’s voice is very inviting. I’d describe it as real—no pretense, no hyperbole. She lets her stories speak for themselves. Any grandparent will absolutely love The Bubbe Diaries. But I also feel certain that parents —as the middle-persons between grandparents and their grandchildren—will love it. They’ll recognize themselves, their kids and their parents in many of the stories. And who knows? Maybe they, too, will learn valuable wisdom from Bubbe.

Loved this so much!

I’m a Nana (not a Bubbe!) here to say I found this to be a funny, wise, heartwarming book. I laughed with recognition, learned more than a few new things, and yes, at times I got all choked up (verklempt, in Bubbe talk!). I loved listening to the author’s narration. It’s a gem of a book.

A delightful listen, even to a non-Bubbe

I like listening to this book because the subject matter is very interesting to me even though I'm not a grandparent OR a mother! I'm a retired psychotherapist who is always interested in material related to family, relationships, and human development. Paula's anecdotes about her daughter, Emma, and granddaughter Bartola are insightful, compassionate, and often humorous. But her advice, garnered both from her own experience and from all kinds of research and interviews with child development experts, is excellent to foster good relationships with grandparents' adult children as well as their grandchildren. She really covers all the bases in terms of places where grandparents and adult children can get caught in conflict, and offers perspective and clarity about what is really important for maintaining good relationships among all three generations. I would say this is required listening for anyone who is a grandparent, and even for their adult children as it gives a clear and comprehensive picture of what a grandparent might experience as they integrate the new young life into their own lives.

Very introspective Bubbe

She gave time and updated Bubbe information with emphasis that it’s a fluid position and mutual respect of all is foundational for a solid cohesive multi generational family unit ..!!
I think she touched on every possible scenario a grandparent could experience.. with compassion she acknowledges the worst case scenario for grandparents but still gave healthy hope for a reintegrated family relationship in the future..

Wonderful Listen

I loved this listen. There were heart touching stories shared, valuable information given, and the narration was great! It gave me a lot to think about.

A thoughtful look at grandparenting

This is a thoughtful, well-researched, yet ultimately personal look at being, having, or knowing a grandparent. While certainly in the grandparent age bracket, I am not, nor will I be, a grandparent, but listening to this audible gave me a look at the social and psychological aspects. What I learned while listening will give me a better understanding of my friends and relatives who are enjoying, or struggling with, the grandkid relationships. Beautifully written and read by Paula Span, you should take the time to listen. You may even revisit your relationship with your own grandparents and appreciate them even more.

A Must Read (Listen) for Grandparents

This was a really fun dive into the nuances, and some unspoken rules, of becoming and being a grandparent. Told in a humorous way, even interspersed with facts and figures. It's easy to find comparisons to your own, or someone you knows, life. Written in small chapters for easy stop and go listening.

Good and enjoyable narration

This book shows a very real relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild. It is a beautiful relationship.