Today’s world moves at breakneck speed. Slow living bucks the trend.
“Slow living is about applying intention to the pace at which we move in order to have more presence, less distraction and multitasking and more focus on what’s directly in front of you,” explains Dr. Caitlin Slavens, BAACS, MC, R Psych, a psychologist.
When grandparents engage in slow living, she says that grandkids benefit both quickly and in the long term.
“For grandchildren, exposure to someone who moves through the day like this is powerful modeling,” she adds. “It’s a lesson that life doesn’t have to be one long, hurried rush. You can find joy in small, everyday moments, like picking rocks that you find or walking down the driveway with your kid to get the mail.”
It sounds dreamy, but some grandparents prove it’s entirely possible—yes, even these days. Child psychologists share nine things slow-living grandparents do differently, plus how to become more like them.
9 Things ‘Slow-Living’ Grandparents Do Differently, Child Psychologists Say
1. Their home is for ‘relaxed vibes only’
Maybe you go over the river and through the woods to get to a grandparent’s house. Or, maybe Nana and Pop live in a bustling city. Either way, stepping inside their space is like a needed vacation from an overstimulating, always-on world.
“They create calm environments at home, where there’s space to relax without pressure or overstimulation, helping kids’ nervous systems relax and recharge and teaching them that it’s okay not to be busy all the time,” reports Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, Psy.D., the clinical services instructor with Newport Healthcare.
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2. They let grandkids set the pace
Grandkids aren’t “on the clock” when they’re with a slow-living grandparent.
“‘Slow-living’ grandparents embrace flexibility rather than rigid schedules,” Dr. Dragonette states.
Often, Dr. Slavens says “slow-living” grandparents are keen to let their grandkids play pacer.
“Whether a child is buttoning their coat or examining bugs along their walk, slow-living grandparents don’t rush them,” she reports. “They know children need time to explore and figure out things on their own.”
3. They know the power of pause
Slow-living grandparents pause before reacting to grandkids, even in high-emotion moments.
“When a grandchild asks a question or does something unexpected, they take a slow breath before reacting,” says Dr. Tori Broems, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist. “This small pause helps calm the nervous system and allows space for more thoughtful, gentle responses. This models co-regulation for grandchildren.”
She shares that it also helps a child feel safe and comfortable with their grandparents.
4. They value experiences
Grandparents are famous for coming to a home bearing gifts. Slow-living grandparents aren’t above this habit, but they generally consider quality time their love language.
“Experiences and relationships are prioritized over consumerism,” says Dr. Jessica McCarthy, Psy.D., a psychologist. “Time and connection are the true gifts.”
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5. They prioritize rituals
Rituals are soul care and self-care for slow-living types, especially when they involve the grandkids.
“Slow-living grandparents make rituals a priority, such as Sunday pancakes, feeding the birds and evening card games,” Dr. Slavens shares. “Those repeated, mindful moments become emotional landmarks for grandkids, beautiful memories that love can be stable and predictable.”
6. Their top ritual is ‘now’
Slow-living grandparents don’t engage in rituals to check something off a to-do list or optimize anything. They’re immersed in each step and their time with the grandkids who are walking alongside them.
“Slow-living grandparents have a routine set on the ‘now,'” Dr. Broems explains. “They wake up, sit with their coffee on the porch and enjoy what surrounds them without focusing on the future or the past. This practice allows children to witness the power of mindfulness and being present.”
Related: The 6 Words Therapists Wish Every Parent Would Say to Their Kids More Often
7. They prioritize presence over productivity
Grandparents wear many hats. However, grandparents who are living a mindful existence seem to carry the load more holistically and gracefully.
“Grandparents aren’t just the taxi or the babysitter, although they can certainly use childcare time to cultivate slower, more present moments,” Dr. McCarthy says. “The emphasis is on listening, playing, and being emotionally available.”
8. They share intergenerational wisdom
Slow-living grandparents are creating a legacy that will outlast the tactile, consumer-driven world.
“Slow living grandparents aren’t interested in leaving their mark through fancy or high-priced items,” Dr. McCarthy notes. “Rather, they look to spend time passing down traditions, recipes, crafts or ways of doing things through gentle teaching and exposure.”
9. They have their own hobbies
Grandparents who live intentionally don’t put their whole identity in their grandkids. Instead, they pursue other interests and teach an important lesson in the process.
“They crochet, take long walks, bake goods, garden and build things,” Dr. Broems says. “They involve their grandchildren in these hobbies for shared enjoyment and exposure to these mindful activities. This allows children to witness the power of purpose, as well as promotes activities that do not involve screens, something children can struggle with at times.”
5 Tips for Slowing Down for Your Grandkids
1. Make the time
We have so many options for how to fill our schedule. Slowing down requires some legwork and intention, but it’s worth it for the bonding you’ll do with your grandkids.
“Setting time aside to relax and focus on the moments spent together, like a tech-free breakfast, an afternoon walk or a no-screen hour, shows children what presence looks and feels like,” Dr. Dragonette says.
Related: 9 Habits of Grandparents Who Stay Emotionally Close to Their Grandkids—Even From Far Away
2. Decline something once a week
If there’s no white space on your calendar, you may need to develop habits to create it. Dr. Slavens suggests saying “no” to one invite per week.
“This leaves room for spontaneous time with grandkids—the ‘let’s make something in the garage’ or ‘let’s go to the pool’ experiences that come when there is room for spontaneity,” she shares.
3. Keep it simple
Now you have the margin to spend time with your grandchild. It can be tempting to try to fill your calendar with fun, “slow-living” type hobbies, but doing so can feel overwhelming. True slow-living is about intention and pacing yourself so you can enjoy the time you have.
“Choosing one or two simple, repeatable ‘slow living’ rituals, like playing cards, gardening, baking or doing a craft together, creates comforting traditions that deepen the relationship with intentional activities that lead to life-long memories,” Dr. Dragonette explains.
4. Create a technology parking lot
No shame, but kids these days aren’t the only ones attached to their phones. It can be challenging for adults to resist the steady stream of notifications and the temptation to visit social media. Make like a grandkid with Hot Wheels and MagnaTiles and create a “technology parking lot.”
Dr. Broems says this tip encourages and fosters mindful engagement with minimal distractions.
“This can even be made to be a fun activity in which you and your grandchild create your own and build the ‘parking lot’ together,” she adds. “This allows for the promotion of slow living together.”
5. Focus on presence over perfection
Nothing will play out precisely as you imagined, especially with another human involved. That’s okay.
“A picture-perfect day matters far less than simply being emotionally available, which means putting work or other distractions away, and letting children lead the way,” Dr. Slavens says.
Up Next:
Related: Experts Reveal 9 Traits of Grandmothers Who Stay Close To Their Grandkids
Sources:
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.