Do you congratulate grandparents for a new grandchild?

[Budgetating]

Writing to someone whose grandchild has just been born. Are you supposed to congratulate them? Does it sound a bit weird to say “congratulations on the new arrival” when they’re not the parents?

Yes you do and no it doesn't.

Yes I do

Yes you do, it's fine, but I'd probably say 'on the arrival of your grandchild'.

Yes you do.

Yes, of course.

My in laws had more cards when I had their grandchild than we, the parents, got!

Yes, I'd do! There are cards especially for grandparents; my parents received quite a few.

I have a friend who has a stack of 'Congratulations! You're a new grandparent' cards that she sends to all her friends in this position.
I thought it was odd, but she thought it was perfectly normal and was surprised I had never sent one.
I would always ask after the baby and family, but I don't think congratulating the grandparent ever previously crossed my mind.

Thanks, she’s the only new grandparent I know.

Definitely congratulate the new grandparents!

I sent my Uncle and Aunts congratulations on being a grandparent cards. They were so excited I thought it would be nice.

I think it’s weird to congratulate but maybe that’s because I think congratulations are mostly owed to the mum who gestated and birthed (in some form) the baby!

I usually say something like “exciting news for you” or “lovely to hear of the new arrival in your family”

because I think congratulations are mostly owed to the mum who gestated and birthed (in some form) the baby!
It's not either / or, you know. There's enough for everyone.

My mum received a number of cards when I had DD, including some from people who knew us both but who didn't send one to me.

I’m going to be an aunt again. I told someone and they said congratulations. That was weird. But for a grandparent it makes a bit more sense I think.

@GreyhoundG1rl

because I think congratulations are mostly owed to the mum who gestated and birthed (in some form) the baby! It's not either / or, you know. There's enough for everyone.

Not to mention that the dad gets congratulated too!

Yes, I congratulate new grandparents and make as much fuss of them as I do the parents.

I got a few congratulations cards when I became a grandma. I thought it was sweet. It hadn't occurred to me that it was a card thing, but it was lovely to know that those friends were happy for me.

No. I’d usually say, “ How lovely, I’m hope mother and baby are well”, or similar.

I hope. Typo.

Never heard of this. Seems a bit weird to me because I think congratulations are given for some kind of achievement.

I might message new grandparents, something on the lines of "Great to hear of the safe arrival of your new dgc, you must be so excited" but I wouldn't send a congratulations card because I don't see what their actual achievement is.

Btw, I'm autistic so do tend to be quite literal and pedantic if that's relevant.

@cariadlet

Never heard of this. Seems a bit weird to me because I think congratulations are given for some kind of achievement.

I might message new grandparents, something on the lines of "Great to hear of the safe arrival of your new dgc, you must be so excited" but I wouldn't send a congratulations card because I don't see what their actual achievement is.

Btw, I'm autistic so do tend to be quite literal and pedantic if that's relevant.

No, congratulations can be extended to anyone having a happy event in their lives, especially a new family member. It doesn't have to be all your own work.

You can get a Grandparent card that doesn’t say’Congratulations’ on it.

I'd say it to their face, but I probably wouldn't send a card.

There are also Congratulations on your New Sister / Brother cards.
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