Neil Taft is a great-great grandpa, author of 4 grandparenting books, speaker, and family connection advocate with 80+ years of lived experience. He has published nearly 500 articles on intergenerational relationships and reached millions worldwide – including a conversation with Jack Canfield that garnered over 2 million views. His core message: connection isn’t accidental, it’s intentional.
Neil Taft is a great-great grandpa, author, speaker, and youth advocate dedicated to transforming how families connect across generations. With children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, he brings authentic, lived experience to every conversation about grandparenting.
His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a recognized voice on family connection demonstrates resilience, reinvention, and the power of intentional relationships. Neil has written four books on grandparenting, published nearly 500 articles on family dynamics, and reached millions through speaking engagements and viral content – including a conversation with Jack Canfield (author of The Success Principles) that garnered over 2 million views.
His philosophy: “Don’t save your tread. Try, fail, pivot, and live fully.” That’s the message he shares with grandparents, organizations, and families worldwide – connection isn’t accidental, it’s intentional.
Neil’s path to becoming a grandparenting expert wasn’t planned – it was lived. Growing up, he learned early that family isn’t just about biology; it’s about showing up, listening deeply, and loving unconditionally.
As he raised his own children, he made mistakes. He learned. He adapted. And when his grandchildren arrived, he discovered something profound: the grandparent-grandchild relationship is unlike any other. It’s not about authority or discipline – it’s about connection, legacy, and being a steady presence through life’s storms.
By the time his great-grandchildren came along, Neil had refined his approach – embracing technology, setting healthy boundaries, and creating rituals that transcend generations. When his great-great-grandchildren arrived, he realized he had a responsibility to share what he’d learned – not just with his family, but with grandparents everywhere.
That’s why he writes, speaks, and advocates. Because every grandchild deserves a grandparent who shows up intentionally, and every grandparent deserves the tools to make that happen.
Author of 4 Books on Grandparenting
Caring Grandparents – Unleashing your grandparenting superpower through intention and action
Good to Great Grandparenting – Elevating your connection to the next level
Grandparents’ Rights – Legal and practical guidance for maintaining relationships
No Greater Loss – Navigating family challenges and estaining connection through difficult times
Nearly 500 Published Articles
Neil has written extensively on intergenerational communication, legacy-building, digital grandparenting, and family dynamics. His articles have helped thousands of grandparents navigate complex relationships and strengthen family bonds.
Speaker & Consultant
Neil delivers keynote speeches, workshops, and consulting for organizations, conferences, and family advocacy groups on topics including:
Author of
The Success Principles
and Co-Author
of the Chicken Soup
for the Soul Series
Neil Taft Shares Grandparenting Tips and Insights on the Rebel Rootz Show with Evonne Varady
Grandparenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s not about control—it’s about connection. And it’s not about reliving your own parenting years—it’s about creating something entirely new.
You don’t have to be the “perfect” grandparent. You just have to show up consistently, love unconditionally, and be willing to learn.
The generation gap is real, but curiosity is the bridge. Ask questions. Learn their world. Meet them where they are.
Your legacy isn’t what you leave behind when you’re gone—it’s what you build while you’re here. Every conversation, every ritual, every moment of presence shapes the family story.
Respecting your adult children’s parenting decisions and knowing your own limits isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Healthy boundaries strengthen family dynamics.
Digital communication, video calls, and even gaming can deepen connections when used intentionally. Don’t resist the tools your grandchildren use—embrace them.
Neil Taft is a great-great grandpa, grandparenting expert, author, and speaker based in North Carolina. He has written four books on grandparenting, published nearly 500 articles on family connection, and reached millions of grandparents worldwide through speaking and viral content.
Neil Taft has written four books: Caring Grandparents, Good to Great Grandparenting, Grandparents’ Rights, and No Greater Loss. Each focuses on practical strategies for building intentional, lasting connections across generations.
Neil Taft’s philosophy centers on intentional connection – the belief that strong grandparent-grandchild relationships don’t happen by accident. His five core principles are: intention beats perfection, connection requires curiosity, legacy is built daily, boundaries protect relationships, and technology is a tool not a threat.
Neil speaks on modern grandparenting strategies, intergenerational leadership, legacy-building, values transmission, youth advocacy, and navigating family estrangement. He delivers keynotes, workshops, and consulting for organizations and family advocacy groups.
You can connect with Neil through his contact page at neiltaft.com/connect-with-neil/ to book a speaking engagement, request consulting, or simply reach out.
Lived Experience, Not Theory
Neil isn’t a psychologist or academic researcher. I’m a Great-Great Grandpa who’s navigated four generations of family dynamics—the joys, the conflicts, the heartbreaks, and the triumphs. My advice is rooted in real life, not textbooks.
Practical, Actionable Strategies
Every tip I share is something you can implement today. No vague platitudes or feel-good fluff—just proven methods that strengthen connections and build legacies.
Compassion for Complexity
Family life is messy. I don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions because I know every family is different. Whether you’re dealing with distance, estrangement, blended families, or simply seeking deeper connection, I approach every situation with empathy and nuance.
Neil is blessed with a multi-generational family that spans children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Each generation has taught me something new about connection, resilience, and love.
His signature ritual? The upside-down hug. It started as a silly way to make my grandchildren laugh, and it’s become a family tradition that’s passed down through generations. It’s a small thing, but it’s our thing—and that’s what matters.
Whether you’re looking for practical grandparenting strategies, booking a speaker for your event, or simply want to learn more about my work, I’d love to hear from you.
