Securely Attached12 Aug 2025

The grandparent transition: Managing emotions, roles and boundaries with Carol Merle-Fishman

Becoming a grandparent is a major shift and yet, it's rarely talked about in a way that honors the complexity of this role. In this episode, I'm joined by Carol Merle-Fishman to explore the emotional, psychological, and relational shifts that occur when someone becomes a grandparent and how this transition can impact the entire family system.

Together we unpack:

Why grandparenthood is actually a developmental stage of its own.
How expectations, unspoken grief, and shifting identities can create tension or disconnection in relationships.
Ways adult children can support their parents and in-laws through the grandparenting transition and how grandparents can honor and respect their children's wishes.
How to set boundaries with empathy and clarity while nurturing strong multigenerational bonds.
The importance of emotional reflection for grandparents navigating this new chapter of life.

Whether you're preparing to become a grandparent, are already in this role, or are a parent looking to better understand and support the grandparents in your life, this episode will offer a compassionate and practical lens for navigating this powerful and often overlooked transition.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗 https://carolmerlefishman.com/

🎧 104. Becoming a grandparent: Embracing the complicated identity shifts that come when your baby has a baby with Carol Merle Fishman

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉🏻 Becoming a grandparent can bring up big emotions and big questions. Go to upshurbren.com/becomingagrandparent to download my free interactive workbook, Reflecting on Grandparenthood, to help you process the identity shifts, set healthy boundaries, and navigate this transition with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Or forward this episode along to the grandparents in your life.

🔗 https://www.morethangrand.com/

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 89. Fostering deep and meaningful relationships: How to resolve conflict, prioritize our needs, and set appropriate boundaries with Dr. Rick Hanson

🎧 102. Breaking the cycle of insecure attachment: How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with Dr. Miriam Steele

🎧 52. Setting boundaries with your parents and in-laws: Navigating family dynamics with Dr. Emily Upshur

🎧 279. Q&A: How can I maintain a relationship with my mom who has extremist political views?

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