Funtastical Blog
"Are you ready to unlock the magic of grandparenting?"
Modern Grandparent Magic: Questions to Spark Connection With Kids Aged 3–6
In this heartwarming blog by CJ Corki, modern grandparents are invited to rediscover the joy of storytelling with the little ones. Through a playful tale full of wonder, we’ll explore questions that open hearts and spark magical conversations between generations.
Thanksgiving Turkey Hotline: 5 Hilarious (and Surprisingly Helpful) Questions Your Grandkids Might Ask
Thanksgiving is a cherished time of year filled with family, food, and a fair amount of frantic Googling. Somewhere between finding your grandmother's stuffing recipe and rescuing a smoke detector from overworked duty, you might hear one of your grandkids ask a question so bizarre, so completely out of left field, that it makes you pause mid-baste.
Enter the Thanksgiving Turkey Hotline. Yes, it's real. Butterball's iconic Turkey Talk-Line has been saving Thanksgiving dinners since 1981, fielding over 100,000 questions each season.
Not My Circus, Still My Monkeys: Why I Text My Adult Kids Even When They Don't Reply
I have a question for you. Have you ever stared at your phone, wondering whether to send that “just checking in” text to your grown kids, knowing full well they might not answer? If so, then pull up a chair. You’re in good company.
I’ve been there, too. I send the message, maybe toss in a meme for flair… and then? Crickets. And yet, I keep doing it. Every day. Not because I'm desperate for attention, but because I'm an intentional grandmother. And whether they respond or not, I want my kids to know: I'm here, I'm watching (not in a creepy way), and I still care.
A Remote Grandma's Guide to a Spook-tacular Long-Distance Halloween
Being a grandma is already magical, but being a remote grandma during Halloween? That requires a bit of witchcraft—and a lot of creativity. Gone are the days of sneaking extra candy into plastic pumpkins and chasing little goblins around the house. But just because we're far apart doesn't mean we can't raise a little Halloween havoc together. It's time to conjure up some spooky-fun ways to make your grandkids cackle with delight from across the miles!
The Labor of Love: How Grandparents Shape Family Legacies for Generations
In today’s diverse family structures, grandparents are vital as emotional and cultural pillars. They play an active role in caregiving, mentoring, and financial support, nurturing younger members and preserving family identity. Their unwavering presence provides stability amid the complexities of modern parenting and societal change, making their role indispensable to the family's well-being and legacy.
But this isn’t just a modern-day role. My grandparents were deeply involved in raising my sisters and me. Because my mom was working in the family business, she needed childcare, which wasn't available back then. You either were a stay-at-home mom or relied on extended family and sometimes neighbors for help. What we know as childcare didn’t become accessible for decades after my childhood.
Mother of the Bride or Groom Dresses for a Wedding: Elegant Styles for Every Celebration
Ah, weddings — they’re emotional, joyful, and, let’s be honest, a tad stressful! But as the mother of the groom, not that much planning needs to be done. Although the thoughtful bride has included me in various events such as “She said yes to the Dress,” there isn’t much involvement, especially since I live six hours away. However, there’s generally one thing that should be exciting, not overwhelming, and something I have a definite say in: finding the perfect dress.
Whether you're walking down the aisle behind your child, greeting guests, or dancing the night away, your outfit should make you feel confident, beautiful, and completely at ease. But with so many styles, traditions, and trends out there, where do you even begin?
Don’t worry — we’ve got your back. Let’s break it down!
Make America Read Again is Not Just for Kids
Have you heard about Usha Vance’s 2025 Reading Challenge, Make America Read Again? It’s aimed at children from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Read twelve books, send in your list, and you could win a visit to the White House. Sounds great, right? But what about you, parents and grandparents—do you read in front of the kiddos?
When our son was in first grade and struggling with reading, the teacher called me in for a conference. She asked a series of questions to figure out why our son was having difficulty. “Do you read to him?” I responded, “Since before birth.” He’s the youngest, and I read to all the kids day and night. He, in particular, would wake up at 5:00 am to have some reading time with me, his mom, and his favorite book, "Ten in the Bed."
Embracing the Chaos: Why Travel Is an Adventure, Even When Everything Goes Wrong
My earliest memory of travel is of a late-night freight train clicky-clackin' by my bedroom window as dusk began settling on the landscape. I was 5, and when I would first start to feel the thunder of the wheels on the tracks as they gently rocked the street, I would jump from my bed to the window to watch and dream of all the places they must go. My imagination was on overload.
I don't know about you, but I envisioned travel as an exotic and seamless experience in which everything went according to plan. After all, the train rocketed by my window like clockwork; the rest of that trip must have been perfect.
Intentional Grandparenting Series
These insightful books are designed to strengthen the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren, offering a fresh and humorous perspective on grandparenting. With a mix of wit and wisdom, CJ Corki addresses the common challenges faced by grandparents today, providing practical advice and engaging activities that make grandparenting both fun and meaningful.