Dear Leading Ladies,

I raised two daughters but now I am about to be a grandmother to a boy. I’ve heard from scads of friends recently about eight or even 10 babies coming in 2026 and they are all boys. A wave of boys!

We have a tall task ahead of us. And a big responsibility: To help make them good men. But what an opportunity! We are able to lovingly teach this new generation of boys how to respect, admire, learn from and partner with girls and women. As grandparents, we have the advantage of being present, conveying our family history and culture, and teaching life lessons that make us good.

But even if we aren’t parents or grandparents, we can offer our wisdom and guidance to young boys sorely in need of help navigating the winding roads to becoming men. We can volunteer in schools or community centers that provide opportunities for under-served children. We can tutor or read to children at the library; coach teams or theater groups, scout troops or chess teams, depending on our skills and interests. The goal need not be to win or be the best, but to grow relationships between older people and youth, relationships that can help boys become good men (and, yes, girls become wonderful women). Right here on the North Shore, the Beverly Council on Aging has partnered with the high school to match adolescents with men and women of advanced years and wisdom. Though they don’t use the word ‘grandparents’, the roles these senior adults are playing in the teens’ lives can certainly approach those of grandparents.

Credit: iStock

Studies show that time spent with grandchildren or, we would argue, grandparent surrogates, improves the child’s mental health. One particular study from the Institute for Engaged Aging, Clemson University, South Carolina, recognized that relationships with grandparents remain beneficial throughout adulthood. Values like gratitude, respect, and appreciation continue to contribute to well-being. Even as family dynamics change, the lessons learned are the foundation of the life perspectives and attitudes held by the grandchildren.

These relationships have a profound impact. A recent article in Living Your Senior Life states, “Young adults who maintain close relationships with their grandparents report fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. This protective effect is especially important when other sources of support, such as parents or primary caregivers, are limited or when these relationships are strained.”

I’ve set the bar high for myself as a grandmother. I know I can have a positive impact on the little fella I’m already in love with. He will grow up surrounded by the love and values his parents and grandparents hold dear. And he will be very lucky to have opportunities many other children do not. Including having grandparents.

Which convinced me that we can all contribute to building fine men – and, thus, a better society – by finding a way to share our wisdom, knowledge, love, and ethics with young boys somewhere and somehow.

Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Yes, this is the challenge we must rise to in order to build a cooperative, thriving society. This is the thing we can all do. We can mentor, listen to, and love these boys.

So, as I eagerly anticipate the arrival of my sweet grandson my message to him is this: Be strong and gentle. Be clever and silly. Be brave and careful. Be polite and kind and helpful and curious and affectionate. Be a good friend.

What the world needs now is you.

Therese (she/her/hers)
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)
Leading Ladies Executive Team
Leadingladiesvote.org
ladies@leadingladiesvote.org