Neil Taft is a great-great grandpa, author of four grandparenting books, keynote speaker, and TEDx presenter with 80+ years of lived family experience across four generations. 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 is not accidental, it is intentional.
Author of The Success Principles and
Co-Author of the Chicken Soup
for the Soul Series
Neil’s path to becoming a grandparenting expert was not planned – it was lived. As he raised his own children, he made mistakes, learned, and adapted. When his grandchildren arrived, he discovered something profound: the grandparent-grandchild relationship is unlike any other. It is not about authority – it is about connection, legacy, and being a steady presence through life’s storms.
By the time his great-great-grandchildren arrived, Neil realized he had a responsibility to share what he had learned. That is 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.
Neil’s work is rooted in a faith-friendly worldview that resonates with Christian grandparents, faith communities, and church-based family ministries. His books and speaking topics are grounded in the belief that grandparents carry a unique spiritual responsibility – to model faith, transmit values, and build a godly legacy that shapes their grandchildren’s character for life. Neil is a trusted voice in Christian grandparenting circles and regularly speaks for faith-based organizations, church conferences, and family ministry events.
Lived Experience, Not Theory
Neil is a great-great grandpa who has navigated four generations of family dynamics – the joys, the conflicts, the heartbreaks, and the triumphs. His advice is rooted in real life, not textbooks.
Practical, Actionable Strategies
Every strategy Neil shares is something grandparents 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. Neil does not offer one-size-fits-all solutions because every family is different. Whether dealing with distance, estrangement, blended families, or simply seeking deeper connection, he approaches every situation with empathy and nuance.
Grandparenting is not about perfection – it is about presence. It is not about control – it is about connection. And it is not about reliving your own parenting years – it is about creating something entirely new.
1. Intention Beats Perfection
You do not have to be the perfect grandparent. You just have to show up consistently, love unconditionally, and be willing to learn.
2. Connection Requires Curiosity
The generation gap is real, but curiosity is the bridge. Ask questions. Learn their world. Meet them where they are.
3. Legacy Is Built Daily
Your legacy is not what you leave behind when you are gone – it is what you build while you are here. Every conversation, every ritual, every moment of presence shapes the family story.
4. Boundaries Protect Relationships
Respecting your adult children’s parenting decisions and knowing your own limits is not weakness – it is wisdom. Healthy boundaries strengthen family dynamics.
5. Technology Is a Tool, Not a Threat
Digital communication, video calls, and even gaming can deepen connections when used intentionally. Do not resist the tools your grandchildren use – embrace them.
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 maintaining connection through difficult times
Speaker and Consultant
Neil delivers keynote speeches, workshops, and consulting for organizations, conferences, and family advocacy groups on topics including:
Neil Taft Shares Grandparenting Tips and Insights on the Rebel Rootz Show with Evonne Varady
Neil is blessed with a multi-generational family that spans children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Each generation has taught him something new about connection, resilience, and love.
His signature ritual is the upside-down hug. It started as a silly way to make his grandchildren laugh, and it has become a family tradition passed down through generations. It is a small thing – but it is their thing. And that is what matters.
Who is Neil Taft?
Neil Taft is a great-great grandpa, grandparenting expert, author, and speaker based in Leland, 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.
What books has Neil Taft written?
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.
What is Neil Taft’s grandparenting philosophy?
Neil Taft’s philosophy centers on intentional connection – the belief that strong grandparent-grandchild relationships do not 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.
What topics does Neil Taft speak on?
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, family advocacy groups, and faith-based communities.
How can I contact Neil Taft?
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.
Whether you are looking for practical grandparenting strategies, booking a speaker for your event, or simply want to learn more about Neil’s work, he would love to hear from you.
