Texting rather than writing thank-you notes

A thank-you text is nice but nothing but a handwritten note will do for your grandmother.

Everyone having storage units instead of family heirlooms in the house

If you can’t appreciate Great-Grandma’s davenport, give it to someone who will. Grandmothers remember when people didn’t have enough instead of people having so much junk they need a house and rent storage space.

No one sets nice tables anymore.

If you watch old sitcoms, there’s typically a mom asking the kids to help set the table, a chore that involved putting matching plates at each seat along with napkins, flatware and glasses. These days, lots of families never eat around a table.

Complicated TV viewing

Nanas remember when the only thing to watch was the Lawrence Welk Show or local news. Now they have to figure out how to navigate 25 streaming platforms and multiple remotes with 30 buttons.

Young people can't read cursive.

No one under 30 writes checks anymore. If they sign cards, they’re likely to print their names. That means when MeeMaw sends a birthday card (and maybe even a check), the recipient can’t even read it.

People can be in contact with work/bosses 24/7.

If you can’t take a break for a weekend at Grandma’s, you don’t deserve her biscuits, is all we’re saying.

News is constant.

Not only is the news cycle 24/7, but you can find it on every streaming platform and on your phones.

Our government leaders tweet.

This strange commentary on our culture is not okay with anyone, really, least of all grandmothers who prefer occasional speeches that have been prepared and practiced.

Everyone rides in cars with strangers.

Grandparents always told us growing up to never, ever take rides from strangers. Now, getting rides with strangers is a common method of transportation.

No one wears their "Sunday best" anymore.

Not even to work. Not even on Sunday.

Reality TV

Much of it is certainly not real and, for many grandmas, it’s not exactly wholesome entertainment.

No one wants to talk on the phone.

No grandmother wants to hear “Just send me a text, Mawmaw.” Especially if her eyesight is so bad she can’t see those tiny letters.

People don't send them actual photos.

An email or text or Facebook message with photos attached are nice, but you can’t frame them and put them on the mantle.

People have so many dietary restrictions.

Back in the day, Southern grandmothers made the same breakfast every day – country ham, eggs, grits, biscuits and gravy. Now she has to worry whether someone in the family is on a keto diet, or who might have become vegan.