Book Review: Legacy of Laughter: A Grandparent Guide & Playbook
Legacy of Laughter: A Grandparent Guide & Playbook. Mary Kay Morrison, Humor Quest, July 31, 2021, Paperback, 176 pages.
Review by eMMe Lecos.
When I was asked to review Legacy of Laughter: A Grandparent Guide & Playbook, I wondered what benefit my input could be not being a grandparent myself. Other than children who visit my bodywork practice and clients I coach on topics related to parenting, I have very few interactions with or about them. So I decided to approach the material from that professional perspective, and it became apparent early in the process Mary Kay Morrison’s book would be a beneficial read for anyone who has the occasion to communicate with a child, as well as those who believe people need to evolve into more humane and thoughtful beings. In my case, beyond increased professional knowledge, I learned more about how to be the kind of parent I had intended when my children were young and, unfortunately, more often than I hoped, fell short of becoming.
The 176-page compilation of information, how-tos, and whimsical drawings have an overarching message for adults on the importance of interacting respectfully with people no matter their age or tier in a relationship. Extended relationships, including parent-to-parent, parent-to-child, parent-to-adult child, parent-to-grandchild, parent-to-“outlaw,” could be improved by following much of this wise counsel. In my opinion, better communities would be the result of a broader enactment of the offerings in Legacy of Laughter: A Grandparent Guide & Playbook.
From the start, Morrison sets the tone by describing her background, her relationships with children, and her sidekick…humor. In the form of a story, activities, and a light hand, the author approaches a wide variety of topics, including sadness, conflict, and interacting with what she terms “outlaws,” otherwise known as in-law families of adult children. Approaching these often emotional and complicated relationships with intentional neutrality and consideration, the author’s work suggests there can be more possibility for family-building rather than family-destroying experiences.
For first-time grandparents, the initial recommendations are “The 3-Rs.” Remember to limit advice, respect instructions, and restrain from bragging too much. A separate, wonderful idea is to create a peaceful place for grandchildren’s parents. When young families come for a visit, take the kids out of the house for age-appropriate activities, gifting parents time to relax. As with the 3-Rs, this is a useful tool for communities beyond grandparents to offer relaxation time to friends and neighbors with children or caregivers of elderly or infirmed relatives.
Each activity in Morrison’s book comes with an infusion of humor and joy, or as she refers to it, “humergy,” which is an experience of vigorous, optimistic energy. Both the author and her husband were involved in helping granddaughter Faith achieve a “tractor license” which grandma, pretending to be the police, asked to see when the 8-year-old operated the tractor. Humergy is present in quips throughout the book, including “My teenage grandkids think that trail mix is M&Ms with obstacles,” and “I really don’t mind getting older, but my body is taking it badly.”
The pages are filled with notes, photos, drawings, and communal input from adult experts and the other experts—children. Cloe, an eleven-year-old, suggested making a habitat for a toad, “Toadie” with her grandmother. Fourteen-year-old Katie, frustrated with a pandemic quarantine, gave a shout-out to her parents and grandparents who helped her get through such a difficult time. And young Emma, the talented hula enthusiast, challenged her grandmother to a hula hoop contest.
Mary Kay Morrison’s wish of wanting to live forever in the hearts of her grandchildren is at the root of this delightful book. A truly loving concept and the type of nourishment humanity needs during periods of great change. Perhaps, if we intended to live forever in the hearts of those we know and those we’ve never met, our world would be closer to our humane potential. That’s something worth sharing and inviting others to consider. I highly recommend Legacy of Laughter to anyone seeking to participate in a more loving and humane existence for our children and those who come after.