CHEK Upside: Former CHEK News director writes book on grandparenting

CHEK
WatchLongtime journalist and news director Ian Haysom recently released a book revealing stories, lessons learned and insights on his experience as a grandfather.

In the past few years, longtime newsman Ian Haysom had an epiphany.

“The small things in life are the important things,” said Haysom. “Not career, not money, not fame, not ambition; it’s the small stuff.”

Small stuff like swimming sessions and routine bike rides with his grandkids. Haysom entered grandfatherhood just over a decade ago — a phase that’s opened his eyes in many ways.

“They insinuate themselves into your heart, and suddenly you’re a grandfather and loving it,” said Haysom.

The semi-retired journalist and former news director is embracing his latest role as “Grandpa Haysom.”

And the new gig has provided plenty of fresh content for his new book Grandfathered: Dispatches from the Trenches of Modern Grandparenthood.

“It wasn’t the book people expected me to write – I’m supposed to be writing about big J Journalism and everything else, but I had a summer with my first granddaughter and then thought, there’s a good book here,” said Haysom.

Through the years, three more grandkids arrived, and the writing continued. He finished the book this past summer and calls it a lighthearted look at life as a granddad, featuring many personal stories, lessons learned and insights including how his generation of baby boomers are changing the grandparenting game.

“One of the big messages in this book, I hope, is that we are not our grandparents. Our grandparents weren’t as participatory as we are. We’re going to live a lot longer.”

And for anyone entering the grandparenting chapter of life, Haysom offers some words of wisdom.

“Being a grandfather is worth growing old for.”

Kevin CharachKevin Charach

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