by Brittney Melton

September 7, 2025

Good morning. This week, President Trump confirmed a U.S. Navy strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, Florida said it plans to be the first state to eliminate all vaccine mandates, and Joseph McNeil of the Greensboro Four, who sparked sit-ins, died at 83.

The importance of grandparents

I lived with my nana and “grandandy” as a young child. My upbringing made me realize how grandparents have a vital role in how you are raised.

To celebrate National Grandparents Day today, I spoke with my aunt Nicole, who is the youngest grandmother in my family. She's welcomed three grandchildren into her family in just under four years. That can be a lot of change very fast. However, the adjustment was worth it to her.

Nicole and Brittne Melton smile for a photo.

Nicole Melton

Nicole had a close relationship with her grandma growing up and thought of herself as a "grandma's girl." That bond made her want a similar relationship with her own grandkids. She says she feels honored that she gets to watch them grow, because not everyone gets that opportunity.

For my aunt, being a grandparent is more than just a title. The role gives her the opportunity to offer a positive environment to her grandkids and share stories with them about their lineage.

One of the biggest lessons my aunt learned in her first few years as a grandma is that she is not a parent to her grandkids. When it comes to how her grandchildren are raised, she knows to respect the parents' wishes. For example, if the parents don't allow their kids to jump in their home, she also has to acknowledge that the kids cannot do that at her home either, even if she feels it could be OK.

“You might not agree or like it, but you have to respect it,” Nicole says. She says she is there to help support her children, but only gives advice when asked.

My aunt is one of many new grandparents ready to share their wisdom. The Up First newsletter recently asked grandparents what it was like to enter this phase of their lives. Over 100 readers and listeners responded with their best advice for new and expecting grandmas and grandpas.

Estee Jaacovi says it is always good to keep backup supplies, like extra diapers, bottles and clothes, readily available. And Frank Dailey encourages grandparents to be present throughout their loved ones’ pregnancy — such as by writing notes to the baby, saving them and sharing them with the grandchildren when they are older.

Get more advice from grandparents and read their reflections on what they love most about nurturing their grandkids here. Tune in to Morning Edition to hear from even more grandparents.

Check out more great reads from the NPR network you may have missed:

After 20 years and 183,000 miles, NPR’s Camila Domonoske is ready to let go of her beloved minivan. To discover whether selling, donating or recycling the vehicle is her best option, she asked herself a few questions, like whether her minivan is still useful. If you are at a similar crossroads with your car, Domonoske's answers could help you decide what would be best for you.
More than 20 Democratic candidates under the age of 40 have announced bids to challenge members of their party in next year’s midterm elections. Meanwhile, Republicans have one young person currently vying for a seat in the House. Young Republicans argue that this shows how their generation is rallying behind the party and supporting the president’s work.
When students return to school, many parents breathe a sigh of relief. But mixed immigration status families are facing heightened fears about ICE agents being near schools. A woman who asked to go by her first initial, M., described to NPR a recent scare, when she saw sheriff's department cars a block away from where she was waiting to pick up her kids. M. says she froze, grabbed her kids and ran home. Her response comes as NPR’s Jasmine Garsd says there have been numerous reports of officers detaining parents near their kids' schools.
A federal appeals court struck down most of President Trump's global tariffs, determining that he exceeded his legal authority. However, the tariffs are still in effect for the time being as the final decision is likely to head to the Supreme Court. U.S. importers are in a state of uncertainty. Here's how three businesses are managing.

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Pod Club

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Thanks for tuning in last week to the Code Switch episode “Statelessness, but make it funny,” in which the hosts talk with Mo Amer, the creator of the comedy series Mo. The show focuses on a Palestinian man navigating the American immigration system while he hopes to one day return to his family’s homeland. Amer talked about what it means to be viewed as a spokesperson for Palestinian Americans.

Today, we’re listening to How To Do Everything, which is back for a second season. In the episode “OOO Baby, with Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón,” a listener asks hosts Mike and Ian how to write the perfect “out of office” message. To assist, they'll get help from the highest language authority in the land, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Comedians Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon join the show to answer some questions from couples about navigating life with your partner. Listen to the conversation or read the transcript here.

After listening, do you think you'll use any of their advice? Click here and let us know your thoughts. Your response could be featured in next week’s newsletter.

For more great podcast recommendations from the experts at NPR, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter.

In today’s episode of The Sunday Story from Up First, take a look at why so many oil wells across the U.S. remain unplugged and abandoned, despite the ongoing threat of long-term pollution. NPR’s Camila Domonoske joins to explain the challenges in finding a sustainable solution.

Common Denominator

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It's time for the Sunday Puzzle! For today's on-air challenge, Puzzlemaster Will Shortz will name three things, and you will determine what they all have in common. For example, if you get the words “telephone,” “Saturn,” and “tree stump,” the answer would be “rings.” Test your skills here. Check the page later to hear the answers, or catch them live on Weekend Edition at 8:41 a.m.

This week's challenge comes from Joseph Young of St. Cloud, Minn. Think of a popular commercial name that has somewhere inside it the names of two male animals in consecutive letters. If you have the right one, the first six letters of this commercial name can be rearranged to spell the name of an NFL team. What is it? Submit your answer here and you could win a chance to play next Sunday's on-air puzzle.

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This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

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