Grandfathered

Dispatches from the Trenches of Modern Grandparenthood

By (author): Ian Haysom
ISBN 9781772033335
Softcover | Publication Date: September 29, 2020
Book Dimensions: 5.5 in. x 8.5 in.
200 Pages

About the Book

A sharp, funny, heartfelt memoir by a career-driven baby boomer who enters semi-retirement and explores the joys, challenges, and never-ending surprises of being a “young” granddad.

One summer, shortly after taking a step back from an illustrious journalism career, Ian Haysom found himself in charge of his first grandchild, Mayana, who was three at the time. As a healthy, energetic member of the baby-boom generation, Haysom did not consider himself a typical granddad. He was too young, too active, too cool for a role more often associated with denture adhesive commercials and afternoon naps. But as he soon discovered, grandparenthood is more rewarding, entertaining, and exhausting than he ever could have imagined.

Grandfathered chronicles Haysom’s adventures with his grandkids Mayana, Emma, and Linden; explores the delightful and unexpected lessons they have taught him (and those he has attempted to teach them); and investigates the rapidly changing role of the grandparent in the twenty-first century. Through keen observations, hilarious anecdotes, and fascinating insights reminiscent of Bill Bryson (or “Bill Bryson with a touch of arthritis,” as Haysom quips), this charming memoir will resonate with boomer grandparents everywhere.

About the Author(s)

Father of four, grandfather of four, and lifelong journalist Ian Haysom was born and raised in England and worked as a reporter for The Evening Standard before immigrating to Canada in the 1970s. He worked at several major Ontario dailies and eventually relocated to BC, where he rose to editor-in-chief at both the Vancouver Sun and Province. Moving to television in the 1990s, he became news director at CHEK-TV and later Global News. Now happily semi-retired, he continues to work as a news consultant.

Reviews

“Ian Haysom has written a humorous, touching, and engaging meditation on what it means to be a grandfather. His skillful storytelling, powerful prose, and thoughtful insights had me laughing and thinking, often at the same time. .” —Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour
“Grandparenthood is the most important period in our lives. Hard-won life lessons are a priceless legacy to the next generation, and in passing them on, we are rewarded with nonjudgmental, unconditional love. Ian Haysom’s delightful vignettes take us through the increasing number and ages of his brood of grandchildren and elicit chuckles, nods, and tears.” —David Suzuki
“Written with the sure hand and wandering eye of a veteran journalist, Grandfathered lives somewhere between heartfelt memoir and hilarious instruction manual. Ian Haysom has written one of the most thoroughly charming page-turners I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. —Ian Ferguson author of The Survival Guide to British Columbia and winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for Village of the Small Houses
Just as someone once pointed out that 70 is the new 60, 60 is the new 50, and 50 is the new 40, and so on, Ian Haysom has shown us that grandfather is the new cool uncle.” —Squire Barnes TV personality, Global BC