It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday April 7, 2026.
Bookshelves and podcasts are full of parenting advice. But grandparenting advice? Not so much.
Our Page Two reporter wanted to get some perspective on grandparenting in 21st century Alaska, so we turned to our friend Judy for her thoughts. She has two grandkids—one in high school and one in middle school. She sees them a lot. She lives next door to them. And they visit often, she says.
She considers herself a very lucky grandparent. The parents do the parenting. They worry about the hard stuff—the grades, school attendance, discipline. And she gets to do the fun stuff with the kids. These days, that means watching cross-country ski races and track meets.
Many grandparents have to do both. They both parent and grandparent their grandchildren. Judy feels lucky that she doesn’t carry that extra burden.
She gets to brag about the grandkids. She remembers getting annoyed when a friend would brag about her grandkids in what seems like a different lifetime. Now she laughs about the role reversal. She says she tries not to brag about her grandchildren, but she can’t help it. Their accomplishments somehow “intervene” in every conversation she has.
They say that parenting changes a person. But Judy says the real changes happened for her when she became a grandmother. She was never particularly “maternal,” she says, but she has become very “grandmotherly.”
“All of a sudden, I like to look at babies,” she says.
For Judy, life as a parent was different from life as a grandparent. For one thing, she had a career. She also had to raise a child pretty much on her own. She made time for parenthood. But things were different then, she says.
“A parent almost doesn’t have the luxury to just sit back and think, ‘Oh, aren’t they wonderful?’” she says.
Page Two wanted to know if Judy had any advice for grandparents-to-be. She says it’s important to remember that the parents are in charge. The parents set the rules, and it’s important not to undermine them. She might have an opinion about this or that candy bar or other treat—but the parents get to make that decision.
But 21st Century grandmothering is not anxiety-free. There’s a lot happening in the world, Judy says. Her grandchildren are bright, energetic kids. She wonders what opportunities are going to be out there for them. She wonders what their world will be like.
What can you do with that kind of worry? She’ll do the only thing she can do: keep supporting and loving them.
The City Of Palmer Board of Economic Development presented Bleeding Heart Brewery with a “Certificate of Recognition” yesterday in “Appreciation for contributions to the community and perseverance through challenges as well as its deep commitment and invaluable role in the City’s economic success and community Growth”.
MEA board elections are happening online now. Voting is quick and easy through your SmartHub account. When you vote, you’re automatically entered to win a year of free electricity (up to 10,000 kWh).
Vote early for more chances to win! MEA will draw a winner for a $250 power gift certificate from online voters each Friday – April 10, 17, and 24.
To vote, login at mea.smarthub.coop. Voting closes on Monday, April 27 at 5 p.m.
You can also vote in person at the annual meeting on Tuesday April 28 at the Glenn Massay Theater. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6 p.m.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.
Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
This Page Two article was reported by David Cheezem and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday April 7, 2026.