Grandma says: Helpful advice to younger generation on challenges of home and family

Grandmothers are proverbial, yet often untapped, fountains of knowledge.

They've lived through births, deaths, marriage, children and grandchildren. They've witnessed the world change, and while they may always have a treat to offer or a dollar to slip, they also have some wise advice.

In her book "How to Sew a Button and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew," author Erin Bried documents advice from grandmothers across the United States to help preserve their good, old-fashioned know-how.

In the spirit of Bried's quest for helpful hints and tips from an experienced generation, here's what four local grandmothers, who currently reside at Bennion Care Center in Salt Lake City, had to say.

Joyce Nielson, 76

Household cleaning:

Use everyday items. Nielson recommends vinegar, lemon and baking soda to get the job done without the use of harsh chemicals.

"Sometimes it takes a little more scrubbing than the chemicals," Nielson said, "but it's cheaper and it works."

On parenting:

Be very consistent and let children know what's right and wrong. In the end, though, Nielson said parents have to let children make their own decisions.

"You've got to let them experience life and that's hard sometimes," Nielson said.

And if all else fails, she said, just "give 'em hugs."

Advice for younger generations:

Stay close to family. Nielson said it's something she has tried to ingrain in her grandchildren and was touched when her granddaughter expressed her love at Nielson's 70th birthday party.

"There was so many of us, some standing, some sitting," Nielson said. "I had to get up and my granddaughter, who was 4 at the time, slammed her hands down on the table and shushed everyone and said, 'This is my grandma's seat and I don't want anyone taking it — you guys have respect for my grandma.' "

Marriage:

Communication in a marriage is No. 1. Nielson said getting to know your potential partner and looking past their mistakes is the basis for good communication.