Leaving Legacy

Mimi, Nana, Gigi, Gogo, BeBe—no matter the name, the role of a grandparent is special. 

We have the incredible opportunity to help shape the lives of our grandchildren and build a legacy of love, wisdom, and guidance that no one else can provide.

As mothers, we made our share of mistakes. We were learning, juggling exhaustion, and often just doing the best we could, even when that didn’t always seem enough. Our children grew up, experienced challenges, and sometimes set boundaries as they forged their own paths. Some moved away, and life began to shift.

Now, as grandparents, we have a second chance—not to change the past, but to create something lasting for the future. While we can’t rewrite our parenting journeys, we can be fully present with our grandchildren, sowing seeds of love, support, and wisdom that will carry forward long after we’re gone.

With my eldest, I learned too late the power of asking, “How can I help you with that?” In trying to protect my children from their mistakes, I sometimes stepped in too quickly, believing I knew the outcomes better than they did. But looking back, I realize the value of letting them learn on their own.

That lesson has become a key part of the legacy I now want to build with my grandchildren—supporting them as they grow, while giving them the freedom to make their own choices.

As a grandmother, I can offer my love and support without feeling the pressure to control every outcome.

I’m learning to step back and watch my grandchildren discover the world, learn from their own mistakes, and find their own way—while being there to guide them when they need me.

This is the foundation of the legacy I want to leave them: independence paired with unconditional love and support.

Today’s grandmothers are busy—we’re working, building, traveling, and still learning. In the midst of all that, we get to enjoy the beauty of being fully present when we’re with our grandchildren.

We’re no longer burdened by the daily pressures of parenting, and that gives us the chance to build lasting memories, share life lessons, and create bonds that will stand the test of time.

Being "Bebe" now means more than just showing up—it’s about creating a legacy of love, respect, and partnership. When my daughter-in-law says, “No sugar,” I respect that boundary, knowing that this is part of the legacy I’m building: teaching my grandchildren that honoring boundaries is just as important as nurturing relationships.

As grandparents, we have a lifetime of wisdom to share, but we also have to learn to support our children’s parenting choices. The legacy we leave isn’t just for our grandchildren—it’s for our children too. By respecting their boundaries and offering help rather than advice, we become partners in their journey, allowing them to grow into the kind of parents they want to be.

So forgive yourself for past mistakes.

Apologize when needed, and focus on building a legacy of love, support, and presence.

Be available, be willing, and always ask, “How can I help you with that?”

This legacy of care and respect will be the greatest gift we can leave to both our children and grandchildren, shaping not only their present but also their future.

Devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Shannon is a lifelong lover of Jesus and truth. Throughout her journey, she’s worn many hats—coach, teacher, editor, designer, creator, manager, motivator, and encourager—always with a passion to inspire others as they pursue their own dreams.

Once someone who believed she always had the answers, Shannon now finds freedom in embracing the unknown. She’s learned that the weight of always being "right" is too heavy to carry, and she treasures the wisdom others have to offer. A lover of good books, new adventures, and the joy of discovering new places, Shannon’s greatest delight is the time spent with her family, filled with laughter and love.

For her, each new day is an opportunity to grow, explore, and embrace the beauty of life's unfolding story.