There’s something magical about the words our grandparents speak to us. Long after they’re gone, their voices echo in our minds, shaping who we become and how we see the world.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially during our weekly nature walks with my grandchildren.
As we crunch through fallen leaves and spot birds in the trees, I find myself saying things my own grandmother used to tell me. And I wonder: Which of my words will stick with them decades from now?
After talking with other grandparents and reflecting on my own childhood memories, I’ve noticed certain phrases have incredible staying power.
These aren’t just words; they’re gifts we give our grandchildren that last a lifetime.
1) “I’m so proud of you”
Last week, my youngest grandchild finally managed to tie their shoes after weeks of trying. The look of pure joy on that little face reminded me why these four simple words matter so much.
When we tell our grandchildren we’re proud of them, we’re not just acknowledging an achievement. We’re seeing them, really seeing them, and celebrating who they are becoming.
And here’s the thing: Kids remember the people who believed in them before they believed in themselves.
I make it a point to say this often, not just for big accomplishments but for the small stuff too. When they share their toys, when they help set the table for Sunday pancakes, when they simply try something new.
These moments of recognition become the foundation of their self-worth.
2) “Tell me more about that”
You know what’s fascinating? When you ask a child to elaborate on their thoughts, their whole posture changes. They stand a little taller, speak a little clearer.
During our nature walks, one of my grandchildren might point out an interesting rock or a weird-shaped cloud.
Instead of just nodding along, I lean in with genuine curiosity. “Tell me more about that. What do you see?” Suddenly, I’m getting a dissertation on cloud dragons and magic pebbles.
This phrase tells them their thoughts matter. Their observations are valuable. In a world where adults are often too busy to really listen, being the grandparent who wants to know more becomes a treasured memory.
3) “You remind me of myself when I was your age”
There’s something powerful about helping children see themselves as part of a larger story. When I watch my grandchildren navigate playground politics or struggle with math homework, I see echoes of my own childhood challenges.
Sharing these connections does two things. First, it normalizes their struggles. They realize that even Grandpa had trouble with fractions once upon a time. Second, it creates a bridge between generations, making them feel less alone in their experiences.
Just yesterday, while making our Sunday pancakes, one grandchild was frustrated about not being able to flip them perfectly. “You know what? I used to make a huge mess when I was learning too.
Want to know my secret?” That simple connection transformed frustration into curiosity.
4) “I love spending time with you”
Have you noticed how often we assume people know we enjoy their company without actually saying it? With grandchildren, spelling it out makes all the difference.
Whether we’re reading bedtime stories (something I’d forgotten how much I loved until I started doing it again) or just sitting quietly together, I make sure they know their presence is a gift. Not because they’re entertaining me or being particularly good, but simply because they exist.
This phrase becomes especially important as they get older. My teenage grandchildren might act like they’re too cool for grandparent time, but when I tell them genuinely that I love our time together, I see their shoulders relax. They know they have a safe harbor in me.
5) “It’s okay to make mistakes”
We live in a world that often demands perfection from children. Report cards, sports performances, social media comparisons. The pressure is real and it starts young.
When my grandchildren mess up, whether it’s spilling juice on the carpet or failing a test, my first response shapes how they’ll handle mistakes for the rest of their lives. “It’s okay to make mistakes. That’s how we learn” becomes a mantra they carry forward.
I share my own mistakes freely. The time I forgot an important meeting, the cake I burned last week, the names I still mix up sometimes. They see that mistakes don’t define us; what we do next does.
6) “You can always talk to me”
Creating a judgment-free zone isn’t just about saying these words; it’s about proving them true over time. But starting with the words matters.
During our walks, away from parents and siblings, conversations naturally unfold. School worries, friendship drama, questions about life.
By consistently reminding them that I’m a safe person to talk to, I become their sounding board for thoughts they might not share elsewhere.
What strikes me most is how this phrase seems to resurface years later. Adult friends often tell me they still hear their grandparents saying this, and it gave them courage during their darkest moments.
7) “You are enough, just as you are”
In a world constantly telling our grandchildren to be smarter, faster, better, this phrase offers radical acceptance. You don’t need to achieve anything or change anything to earn my love.
I see how this lands differently at different ages. The four-year-old beams and runs off to play.
The fourteen-year-old might roll their eyes, but I notice they stand a little straighter afterward. They all need to hear it, perhaps especially when they don’t believe it themselves.
This doesn’t mean we don’t encourage growth or effort. It means we separate their worth from their performance. They are valuable simply because they exist, not because of what they accomplish.
8) “I’ll always love you, no matter what”
Of all the phrases grandchildren remember, this might be the most powerful. Unconditional love isn’t just a concept; it’s a promise we make and keep.
I tell them this during good times and struggles alike. When they win the science fair and when they’re grounded for breaking rules. When they make me proud and when they disappoint themselves. The love remains constant, unchangeable, eternal.
My own grandmother told me this regularly, and even now, years after she’s gone, I hear her voice saying these words when I need them most. That’s the thing about grandparent love: It transcends time and space.
The lasting impact
As I write this, thinking about Sunday pancakes coming up this weekend and the stories I’ll read tonight over video chat, I’m reminded that grandparenting is about planting seeds.
We might not see them all bloom, but the words we speak today become the inner voice our grandchildren hear tomorrow.
These eight phrases aren’t just things to say; they’re investments in our grandchildren’s emotional bank accounts. They become the soundtrack of their childhoods and the foundation of their self-talk as adults.
What phrases do you remember from your grandparents? What words do you want your grandchildren to carry with them?
Because here’s what I’ve learned: The small moments of connection, the simple phrases repeated with love, these become the treasures our grandchildren keep forever.
