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There’s something so magical about the way a grandchild looks at us when we begin a sentence with, “Back when I was your age…” Their eyes get wide, their mouths open just a little, and you can almost see the wheels turning in their heads as they try to picture what life must have looked like before smartphones, streaming, or even microwaves.
We may not think of our lives as extraordinary, but to our grandkids, we are walking, talking time capsules. Sharing our stories is more than just entertainment—it’s a way to connect deeply and show them where they come from. So here’s a warm list of the parts of our personal history that grandchildren often find the most fascinating, endearing, and unforgettable.
1. What Life Was Like Before the Internet and Phones
Telling a grandchild that we grew up without Google is like saying we lived on another planet. When they hear that we had to go to the library to find out the answer to a question or wait for the 6 o’clock news to learn what was going on in the world, they can hardly believe it.Explain what it was like to use a rotary phone, and they might ask how on earth you typed emojis on it! Remember payphones? Or busy signals? Or when calling someone long-distance was a big deal? These little details make their jaws drop and their imaginations run wild.
2. The Games and Toys We Played With
Before video games and tablets, we had simple, clever fun. Telling your grandkids about playing hopscotch, jacks, marbles, Red Rover, or jump rope songs can be downright enchanting. Let them know how a stick and a can could become an adventure, and how a simple game of tag would go on for hours until your mom yelled you in for dinner.They also love hearing about toys we had: tin wind-up toys, rag dolls, yo-yos, and how sometimes we had to make our own. It shows them that fun didn’t come in a box—it came from creativity, laughter, and good company.
3. The Clothes and Hairstyles We Rocked
Oh, now this is a fun one! Grandkids love seeing old photos of us with teased hair, cat-eye glasses, saddle shoes, or polyester pantsuits. It’s pure gold to them. The bigger the hair, the louder the fashion, the more intrigued they become.Share how you ironed your hair straight or used orange juice cans for curlers. Tell them about dressing up for school or church, and how “ripped jeans” used to mean your pants were ruined. They’ll laugh, and they’ll remember.
4. Our Old School Love Stories
Kids these days swipe left or right to meet someone, but we had to be brave, make phone calls, and actually show up in person. Whether we married young, stayed single for a long time, or had a sweetheart we never forgot, our love stories capture their attention.Talk about your first date, your first kiss, or even that one boy who wrote you letters from summer camp. If you’ve been married a long time, they’ll want to know the secret. If you’ve loved and lost, they’ll learn about strength and grace. Either way, it’s something they won’t hear anywhere else.
5. Our School Days and Getting in Trouble
They can’t imagine a school without computers or smartboards. So when we describe a classroom with chalkboards, wooden desks, and teachers who paddled misbehaving students, they’re all ears.Tell them about the time you passed a note and got caught, or the teacher who scared everyone straight. Explain how gym class used to be serious business, and how we had to walk to school in rain, snow, or shine. It sounds like fiction to them—but it’s all part of their family legacy.
6. The Big Historical Moments We Lived Through
Whether it was the moon landing, civil rights marches, the Cold War, 9/11, or even just your town’s centennial parade—grandkids are often amazed to hear we lived through what they’re learning about in history class.It doesn’t need to be dramatic. Even hearing what the world felt like during those events—how people reacted, what families did, what was on the news—makes their understanding deeper. We were there, and that’s a perspective no textbook can match.
7. What Our First Jobs Were and What Things Used to Cost
Remember your first paycheck? Maybe you worked as a babysitter, cashier, soda jerk, farmhand, or secretary. Telling your grandkids about your first job not only shows them your work ethic, but it also helps them understand how much the world has changed.They’re fascinated when we tell them how gas used to be under a dollar, or candy bars cost a nickel. And they’re stunned when we explain that we bought our first car for less than what an iPhone costs today.
8. Family Traditions That Have Faded
Some of our most treasured memories came from traditions that have faded with time. Maybe it was baking a certain pie every holiday, sewing costumes by hand, or singing together after dinner. These small acts tell a bigger story of love, patience, and community.Grandkids often feel a longing to reconnect with those simpler, sweeter times—even if they didn’t live through them. Sharing these traditions might even inspire them to revive a few.
9. The Times We Embarrassed Ourselves and Laughed About It
One of the best ways to connect with our grandkids is through humor—and when we share our own funny or embarrassing moments, it brings us down to earth in their eyes.Tell them about the time you slipped on stage at a recital or accidentally wore mismatched shoes to church. When they see us laugh at ourselves, they learn resilience and the importance of not taking life too seriously.
10. The First Time We Did Something Brave
Grandkids admire courage. When we share stories about moments we had to be brave—whether it was standing up for ourselves, moving away from home, taking care of a sick parent, or simply learning to drive—it leaves an impression.These stories teach our grandkids that fear can be faced, and that bravery isn’t about having no fear—it’s about doing it anyway. And coming from us, those lessons hit a little deeper.
In Closing: Our Stories Matter More Than We Think
We grandmothers sometimes think our lives are too ordinary to talk about. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our lives are woven with wisdom, humor, love, and grit. Sharing our stories is one of the greatest gifts we can give our grandkids—it builds identity, bridges generations, and reminds them that they’re part of something bigger.So dust off those memories. Dig out the old photos. Sit down with a warm drink and a willing ear, and let the stories flow. You never know which part of your history will become your grandchild’s favorite tale, or the one they pass down long after we’re gone.Would you like a printable version of this article to include in your memory box or read aloud at a family gathering? I’d be happy to create one just for you.
