A generation primed for grandkids

  • Saturday, December 22, 2001 9:00pm
  • Business

Associated Press

At Vickie Evans’ house, a bassinet is on standby. So are burping pads, Lilliputian nail clippers, and a portable playpen – all courtesy of a shower hosted by her friends.

Now all Evans and her husband need is a visit from their first grandchild, a baby boy born in mid-December.

“We want our grandchild to feel welcome in our home, so we can say, ‘Come to grandma and grandpa’s and spend a week with us.’ ” said Evans, a 55-year-old retired schoolteacher in Henrico, N.C.

Like Evans, the oldest of America’s 76 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964, are headed into grandparenthood. It’s a demographic shift that businesses are relishing.

Boomers, beneficiaries from birth of the nation’s post-World War II prosperity, are expected to open their pocketbooks in ways that previous grandparent generations lacked the resources to do.

“We’re more active, we’re healthier, wealthier and better educated than previous grandparenting generations,” said Allan Zullo, author of “The Nanas and the Papas: A Boomers’ Guide to Grandparenting. “Our generation is willing to spend anything to help give our grandkids an edge.”

The boomer grandparents that Zullo and others talk with want the best for their grandchildren, including pricey clothing, trips and educational opportunities they might not have been able to afford for own children – or had the free time to enjoy.

Although the income levels of boomer grandparents vary, a lot of businesses are already starting to see the benefits. With the offspring of boomers delaying parenthood until later and tending to have fewer children, many grandparents are extremely generous when it comes to a grandchild.

“The older grandparents we get are not as likely to spend so much because they remember the Depression, whereas the baby boomers were born after World War II, when the world was wonderful so they have a rosier outlook,” said Holli D’Antonio, owner of Lizzie’s Looking Glass, an upscale children’s store in Boca Raton, Fla., that sells, among other items, European toys and train sets that costs several hundreds dollars.

Evans, the North Carolina grandmother, shopped at a baby specialty store and spent more than $300 for baby clothes with a circus-elephant theme. They matched the nursery at her daughter’s home.

“I bought onesies, blankets, hats in all different sizes for 3 months, 6 months. I bought the whole store out of everything they had. It was all just so cute,” she said. “I’d have never been able to do this for my own children. We didn’t have the money.”

Boomers want to offer gifts that provide their grandchildren with certain intangible benefits.

Debbie Verrengia, 50, of Yorba Linda, Calif., cares for her 4-month-old granddaughter Jenna three days a week while her parents work. She’s been buying books, believing that it creates a special bond between a grandparent and a grandchild. As Jenna gets older, Verrengia envisions taking her places that combine education and fun.

“I’m really looking forward to thing like museums,” Verrengia said. “We did this with our own children, and it was a lot of fun.”

Evans, the grandmother-to-be in North Carolina, is looking forward to creating memorable holidays for her grandson.

“We want to do the tradition things together: Christmas celebrations or birthdays, for example,” she said. “We want to be able to be the kinds of grandparents that are involved.”

There’s even a special travel agency for grandparents with deep pockets. For between $4,000 and $8,000 per traveler, a grandparent and grandchild can visit locales ranging from New York to Kenya.

“Anyone can leave their grandchildren money, but these grandparents want to leave them memories. They want to participate in making these children’s lives with them significant,” said Helena Koenig, owner of GrandTravel. “On our trips they go horseback riding and river rafting and do other things together.”

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.