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Grandparents

We created this page to give you simple, practical tools to make your home a place where your grandkids can truly unplug, reconnect with you, and be safe while they do it.

Scams That Target Older Adults

You don't have to be a tech expert to be one of the most powerful protectors in your grandchild's life.

Your home is your haven, and the love, wisdom, and boundaries you offer there are things no screen or stranger on the internet can compete with. Grandparents have always been a safe harbor for children and today, that role matters more than ever.

Creating a Tech-Free (or Tech-Limited) Environment

The goal isn’t to ban technology entirely, but to set boundaries that don’t require grandparents to be tech experts.

House Rules for Visits at Grandparents:

  • Keep all devices in common areas. No phones, tablets, or gaming devices in bedrooms or bathrooms during visits.
  • Have a designated "charging station" in a common area (kitchen counter, living room) where all devices go when kids arrive and stay until they leave.
  • Keep TV and screens in a shared space and avoid having internet- connected TVs or gaming consoles in guest rooms.
  • Consider a simple basket or bin at the door that kids can “check in" their devices when they arrive…like taking off shoes!

Time boundaries:

  • Set specific "tech time" windows during the visit, such as one hour after lunch, rather than open-ended access.
  • Make tech-free times the default during meals, family activities, and the first and last hour of the day.
  • Have a simple, visible clock or timer so kids know when tech time is and when it ends as this removes the grandparent from being the "bad guy" enforcer.
  • Consider a simple basket or bin at the door that kids can “check in" their devices when they arrive…like taking off shoes!

Replace with alternatives:

  • Keep a stock of board games, card games, craft supplies, or outdoor activities specifically for grandkid visits. Kids are far less likely to reach for a phone when something engaging is available!
  • Lean into activities that are uniquely "grandparent things" like cooking together, gardening, old photo albums, family stories. These create memories and naturally crowd out screen time!

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How Grandparents Should Approach
the Subject With Their Families

This conversation can feel awkward, grandparents don’t want to overstep, and parents can be defensive about their parenting choices. The key is framing it as their home, their rules, not a criticism of how the parents raise their kids.

Starting the conversation:

  • Bring it up well before a visit, not in the moment. A phone call or casual mention works better than an announcement when everyone just walked in the door.
  • Frame it around the grandparent's comfort, not the child's behavior: "When the kids visit, I'd love for us to do things together without screens! That's just what I enjoy." This is honest and hard to argue with.
  • Avoid framing it as a safety lecture, which can put parents on the defensive, instead lead with connection: "I want to make the most of our time together."

Useful phrases to keep in mind:

  • "At my house, we have a no-phones-at-the-table rule…I just love being present with everyone."
  • "I've set up a little charging spot in the kitchen so devices are safe and we can all just enjoy each other."
  • "I know you have your own rules at home — at my place, I'd just love it if we kept screens put away during our visit."

If there is push back:

  • Acknowledge rules at home fully: "I know you handle it differently, and that's completely fine, I'm just asking for when they're here."
  • Stay warm and firm since grandparents have every right to set expectations in their own home.
  • Avoid debating the safety angle unless the parent brings it up…keep it about the visit and experience of being with them.

Talking directly with grandkids:

  • Be upfront and warm when grandkids arrive: "At Grandma's house, we have a phones-in-the-basket rule as it helps me feel like I really get to be with you."
  • Don't apologize for the rule or make it feel like a punishment. Kids actually adjust quickly when the expectation is clear and consistent.
  • Offer something in return: "Let's put phones away and make your favorite dinner together" gives kids something to say yes to, not just something to give up.
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  • Email: info@thelantern.net