It happens in the most ordinary moment. You're buckling a car seat, pouring cereal, or pushing a swing, and your six-year-old grandchild looks up with wide, curious eyes and asks: "Do you know the F-word?"

For a second, time stops. Do you laugh? Gasp? Pretend you didn't hear? If you've been there, you're not alone, and how you respond in that moment matters more than you might think.

Why This Question Isn't as Shocking as It Feels

First, a reassurance: this is developmentally normal. Curiosity about "forbidden" language is a natural part of how children explore boundaries, social rules, and power.

When you ask adults about their favorite childhood memories, they rarely mention the latest toy or the most expensive vacation. Instead, they remember jumping into piles of leaves, helping Grandma bake her famous pie, navigating Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze, or going to the pumpkin patch every year picking out pumpkins and eating popcorn and apple turnovers.

As grandparents, many of us have memories we wish we could show our grandchildren.

We remember the way their parent ran through the backyard in rubber boots after a summer rain, dragged a favorite blanket from room to room, performed a dance in the living room, or smiled proudly after learning to ride a bike. Sometimes, as we tell those stories, we find ourselves saying, “Oh, how I wish I had a picture of that.”

The backpacks are packed, the pencils are sharpened, and kids are heading back to school, whether they are ready or still searching for the other shoe. A new school year is the perfect time for grandparents to change up their routine too, starting with the questions we ask. This year, let’s retire “How was school?” before it earns another eye roll and replace it with questions that lead to laughter, stories, and conversations longer than one word.

“How was school?” “Fine.”

“What did you do today?” “Nothing.”

“What did you learn?” “I don’t know.”

And just like that, the conversation is over.

There is something magical about the first day of fall.

The air becomes a little crisper, the leaves begin their colorful transformation, and families naturally slow down after the busy days of summer. While autumn is known for pumpkins, football games, and apple cider, it's also the perfect season to begin traditions that your grandchildren will remember for years to come.

Summer always seems to fly by. One minute you're enjoying long, lazy days and family vacations, and the next you're shopping for school supplies and settling back into routines.

Before backpacks, homework, and busy schedules take over, why not squeeze in one last family adventure? The best memories aren't made from extravagant trips, they're created through simple moments spent together.

Every summer, I run Camp Carma for one wonderful, wild, joy-filled week with my grandkids.

And by “camp,” I do not mean cabins, counselors, and a lake with questionable canoe rules. I mean a week of backyard adventures, kitchen experiments, story time, crafts, giggles, snacks, surprises, and the occasional moment when I wonder why I thought glitter was a good idea.

But here is what I have learned: children do not need complicated activities to have unforgettable fun.

The ideas in this blog are tried and true from Camp Carma. They have been tested by real kids, real messes, real laughter, and real “Can we do that again?” requests.

In 1976, America turned 200. This year, she turns 250. And somewhere in between those two milestones… is me.