In this episode, we sit down with school principal and autism grandma, Jennifer Kaufman, to talk about what it’s really like when your grandchild is diagnosed — and how that shifts expectations, roles, and relationships overnight.

We talk about:

• The emotional pivot from “traditional grandparent” to active support system

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• How to give (and receive) advice without blowing up family dynamics

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• The awkward-but-necessary financial conversations

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• Why empathy matters so much in schools — and what educators need to understand

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• Water safety and why it cannot be an afterthought

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• The pressure grandparents sometimes feel to “fix” things

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• And the reminder that parenting (and grandparenting) is not a competition

This conversation is honest about the tension that can show up in families — especially when everyone loves the child but doesn’t always agree on how to help.

Whether you’re a grandparent trying to support your family, or a parent trying to figure out how to include extended family in your child’s autism journey, this episode gives practical insight and a whole lot of grace.

Because it truly takes a village — but villages need communication.

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