A grandmother is your parent's mother: the woman who raised your mom or dad when they were young, just as your parents are raising you now. She's one generation older than your parents and two generations older than you.

Many grandmothers play special roles in their grandchildren's lives. Some live nearby and see their grandchildren often, while others live far away and visit when they can. Some grandmothers teach their grandchildren family recipes, tell stories about what life was like when they were young, or share hobbies like gardening, baking, or playing cards. Others help care for their grandchildren after school or during summer breaks.

The relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren can be wonderfully different from the parent-child relationship. Grandmothers may have more time and patience than busy parents, and they've already learned many lessons from raising your mom or dad. They might spoil you a little more, listen without rushing, or know exactly how to make you laugh when you're having a bad day.

People call their grandmothers by many different names: Grandma, Granny, Nana, Grammy, Grandmother, Abuela (Spanish), or dozens of other affectionate titles. Whatever you call her, your grandmother is part of your family tree, connecting you to your family's history and traditions.