Dear Family,

Last week, we talked about building the sanctuary with Dr. Dale Atkins—the decision to stop the "sprint" and start being the stationary point for our grandchildren. We talked about "staffing" our mission to avoid burnout. But what happens when that sanctuary is clouded by the ghosts of the past? What do we do when we look at our grandchildren and see the "unforgivable" traits of the parents who left them in our care?

I recently sat down with Tony Silard, author of Love and Suffering. Tony helped me realize that we can’t truly lead our grandchildren until we’ve done the hard work of "exorcising" our own resentments. We realized that being the Invisible CEO means moving past judgment and into a state of "seeing again."

The Raw Truth: Dropping the Stone

I’m learning to figuratively drop the stone I’ve been carrying, so my hands are finally free to just hold her. I want her to grow up with someone she feels she can trust and accept her just as she is.

Inside the Project: Episode 98

This Week’s Guest: Tony Silard | Acceptance: The First Step from Suffering to Love

In this episode, we tackle the emotional heavy lifting. Tony explains why resentment is "feeling anger again and again" until we are paralyzed. We discuss why traditional "forgiveness" is a trap and how to use the "Three Fingers" exercise to heal the projections we place on our grandchildren. We also get very practical about the "digital slot machine" and how to reclaim our kids from their screens.

[🎧 LISTEN TO EPISODE #98: Dr. Tony Silard]

The Reflection Room

Dr. Silard challenged us to look at the word Respect—from the Latin respicere, meaning "to see again." Ask yourself today: When I look at my grandchild, am I seeing their past, or am I seeing their soul? A CEO doesn't lead through judgment; they lead through presence. Are you looking at your family with the eyes of a judge, or are you willing to "see them again" for the first time?

The Toolbox: Tactical Moves

• The "Human" Disclosure: Instead of "being angry" at a child, try sharing that you feel sad or worried. Vulnerability is a leadership tool that disarms the "survival brain."
• The 2:1 Screen Rule: If you use a tool like Google Family Link, set a clear agreement: every minute they go over their limit today costs them two minutes tomorrow.
• The Three Fingers Check: Next time you judge a family member as "selfish" or "lazy," ask yourself: Who in my life would say that about me? It’s the fastest way to replace resentment with compassion.

You are the keeper of the future, and your healing is the greatest gift you can give them. We are 2.7 million strong. Still nurturing, and still here.

See you in the next boardroom,

Laura Brazan

Founder, The 2.7 Million Project/Host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity

​https://www.grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org/​