It starts with a sticky-handed hug. Or maybe a FaceTime call where you’re mostly looking at a toddler's forehead. Whatever the delivery method, that one specific phrase—my favorite people call me grandma—is basically the holy grail of modern family life. It’s not just a cheesy slogan you find on a mug at a craft fair.
Honestly, it’s a whole identity shift.
Becoming a grandmother used to be framed as "the end" of a certain kind of vitality. You know the trope: the rocking chair, the knitting, the fading into the background. But that version of aging is dead. Today, being a grandma is a high-energy, high-stakes role that blends mentorship, emotional support, and, let’s be real, a lot of spoiling. It’s the best job you never applied for.
The Science of Why We’re Obsessed With This Role
Biologically, humans are weird. We are one of the few species on Earth—alongside killer whales and short-finned pilot whales—that live long after we stop reproducing. Evolutionary biologists call this the Grandmother Hypothesis. Dr. Kristen Hawkes, a researcher at the University of Utah, has spent decades studying how grandmothers actually helped our ancestors survive by gathering food and providing childcare, which allowed mothers to have more children more quickly.
When you say my favorite people call me grandma, you’re actually tapping into a deep, primal survival mechanism. You are the safety net.
Recent fMRI studies have even looked at the "grandmother brain." Researchers at Emory University scanned the brains of 50 grandmothers while they looked at photos of their grandchildren. The results were wild. The areas of the brain associated with emotional empathy lit up like a Christmas tree. Interestingly, when these same women looked at photos of their own adult children, they showed more cognitive empathy. Basically, they were trying to understand their kids, but they were actually feeling what their grandkids felt.
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It’s a literal neurological bond. No wonder we want the t-shirt.
Beyond the Slogan: The New "Glamma" Era
The "grandma" aesthetic has been totally hijacked by people who refuse to look like a stereotype. We've seen the rise of the "Coastal Grandmother" trend on TikTok, inspired by Nancy Meyers movies and linen pants. But the phrase my favorite people call me grandma represents something deeper than just a fashion choice.
It represents the transition from being the "enforcer" (the parent) to being the "investor" (the grandparent).
Parents have to worry about broccoli, bedtimes, and dental hygiene. Grandmas get to focus on the soul. You're the one who listens to the stories that are too long or too nonsensical for a busy parent to follow. You're the keeper of the family secrets and the one who knows exactly how to make the "good" grilled cheese.
But it’s not all sunshine and sprinkles.
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Navigating this role in 2026 means dealing with "gentle parenting" boundaries and digital safety. You can't just give a kid a bowl of sugar and send them home anymore. Well, you can, but you'll probably get a stern text later. The modern grandma has to be tech-savvy. You’re navigating group chats, photo-sharing apps like FamilyAlbum, and maybe even Roblox if you’re really dedicated.
Why the "Grandma" Label Still Matters in a Digital World
In an age of AI and disconnected social media, the physical presence of a grandparent is a grounding force. There’s something remarkably permanent about it.
I’ve seen women who are CEOs, surgeons, and marathon runners get absolutely giddy over a crayon drawing. Why? Because the title "Grandma" is earned through love, not a salary. It’s a status symbol that says: I am needed. I am loved. I have a legacy.
Specific instances of this show up in community structures everywhere. Look at "Grandmother Circles" or the "Grandmother Project" which uses the authority of elders to improve the lives of women and children in developing nations. These women recognize that the phrase my favorite people call me grandma carries weight. It carries authority.
When you hear someone use that phrase, they aren't just bragging about their grandkids. They are asserting their place in the world. They are saying they have survived the chaos of youth and are now in the business of harvesting the joy.
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The Practical Side of Making the Most of the Title
If you’re lucky enough to have people calling you grandma, there’s a certain way to lean into it without overstepping. It’s an art form. You have to be a consultant, not a manager.
- Listen more than you advise. Your kids probably don't want to hear how you did it in 1992.
- Create "anchor" traditions. Maybe it’s a specific Saturday breakfast or a summer trip. These are the things they’ll remember when they’re 30.
- Document the small stuff. Don’t just take photos of the big birthdays. Film them laughing at a bug in the grass.
- Take care of yourself. You can't be a "favorite person" if you're too exhausted to move. Health is the ultimate gift to your grandkids.
The reality is that my favorite people call me grandma is a badge of honor because it’s a relationship built on pure choice and affection. A child doesn't call you their favorite because you bought them a toy—at least not in the long run. They do it because you make them feel seen in a way nobody else does.
Actionable Steps for the Modern Grandmother
If you want to truly embody the spirit of being that "favorite person," start by focusing on intentional connection rather than just "babysitting."
- Ask for their "Low and High." Every time you talk, ask what the worst part of their day was and the best. It builds emotional intelligence and shows you actually care about their inner life.
- Learn one of their hobbies. If they like Minecraft, play it. If they like a specific YouTuber, watch five minutes of a video so you know the names. You don't have to be good at it; you just have to be present.
- Write "Open When" letters. Write a series of notes for them to open when they lose a tooth, when they get their heart broken, or when they graduate. It’s a way to be there even when you aren't.
- Set your own boundaries. Being a great grandma doesn't mean being a doormat. Tell your adult children when you need a break. A rested grandma is a fun grandma.
The title is yours. Wear it. Own it. And maybe buy the mug, just for the laughs.