Just Shut Your Mouth and Ask: "What would GOD want me to say?"

This book would have been the perfect gift for my Mom, God rest her soul.

She was one of those Grandmothers who felt that it was her duty and obligation to accidentally (on purpose) express her opinions about our child rearing abilities or anything else related to her grandchildren. She provided “words of wisdom” whether you wanted them or not. Everyone knew that Grandmother was armed with a deadly instrument: her tongue. Her mighty sword would cut us deeply and inflict pain and humiliation on the family she loved so dearly.

I am grateful to my Mother for inadvertently teaching me a valuable lesson.  After I became a Grandmother, I made a vow not to follow her example when the urge to chastise my grandson or critique my son’s (and his wife’s) child rearing abilities overwhelmed me. This was a challenge in my life for a few years so I prayed about how to handle it. Thankfully, my prayers were answered. Whenever I observe my son laughing and making excuses for my grandson’s (age 8) obnoxious behavior it still may cause me to formulate negative thoughts and opinions about his child rearing techniques, but now I stop before I open my mouth to speak with an evil tongue and ask myself,

“What would God want me to say?”

This book is written for all of the prudent Grandmothers who have “good” advice for their children regarding child rearing and for those who offer “life’s lessons” to their grandchildren but unwittingly destroy their relationships with their children and their grandchildren in the process.

You know who you are. You have a “sixth sense.” You have to speak your mind. You have to tell it like it is. You’ve been there, done that. You have to get it off your chest. You just state the facts so “they” won’t make the same mistakes that you did. You don’t mean any harm. You have good intentions. You are devoted to your family. Your heart is in the right place. But perhaps you are unaware that sometimes what you say to them and how you say it can create lifelong emotional damage or resentment.

So, what is the purpose of this book?  It is not written to criticize or condemn anyone. The contents and strategies are suggested (not prescribed) to assist the Grandmothers who play a significant role in the lives of their children and grandchildren; the Grandmothers who want to redirect their evil tongues and provide spiritual wisdom to their loved ones as an alternative.