Remember birthdays, of course, but celebrate other special occasions as well. Send Valentine's and Halloween cards, or host a valentine-making or costume craft day if you live nearby. Document these and other experiences with photos and videos so your grandchild remembers them. Follow your grandchild's milestones closely and ask to be included if possible. Can I come over and see? Acknowledge achievements, from learning to ride a tricycle to the fifth-grade science fair, and request demonstrations.
Ask if you can bring artwork home to put on the fridge. Attend sports games, plays, and dance performances. Cheer loudly, bring flowers, and take everyone out for ice cream afterward. Remember, this is your chance to do it all over with just the fun parts. You're an important outlet for your grandchildren because you offer an alternative perspective from their parents.
Listen and encourage them to open up to you as much as possible. Don't limit telephone calls to specific events like birthdays and holidays. Instead, call throughout the year and keep it light and fun.
The first day of school, a tryout, a big game, or a playdate with a new friend are all reason enough to get on the phone. Use video calling if you can — it can be more fun when you can see each other. Keep track of your grandchild's interests, the names they give new dolls or stuffed animals, books they've been reading — anything you can ask about in the next conversation so they know you've been paying attention.
The stereotype of the boring grandpa who's constantly talking about the good old days has unfairly made many older folks afraid to talk about family history, and that's a loss for everyone. Instead, be proud of your role as family historian — you're providing important continuity between the past, present, and the future.
Pepper your stories with humor and adventure and keep them short and to the point and the grandchildren will be hooked. Talk about your own life, but talk about your adult child's early years as well. As your grandchild gets older, he'll love hearing funny stories about his mother or father as a kid — including scrapes, exploits, and what life was like back then.
And once the grandkids are doing history projects for school, watch out — they'll want to hear all about your life "way back when" and what it was like to live through events they've only read about in books.
Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. Ask rather than answer Get silly Beware grandparent rivalry Be mellow about mess Do things, don't just give things Don't be a burden Avoid playing favorites Take the lead Be your grandchild's confidante Store and share family memories. Ask rather than answer As a grandparent, you have years of parenting experience. Get silly Grandparenting can mean all the fun of kids without all the responsibility.
Beware grandparent rivalry Avoid the trap of keeping up with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Josie — this will only lead to hard feelings. Be mellow about mess Let's face it, kids are messy.
Do things, don't just give things It's tempting to buy the latest toy or game and see your grandchild's face light up, and that's fine. Avoid playing favorites Fawning over the dimpled baby while ignoring — or worse, snapping at — the rambunctious 3-year-old sibling is a classic grandparent faux pas. Take the lead It's your job to stay in touch with your grandchild or grandchildren. Be your grandchild's confidante You're an important outlet for your grandchildren because you offer an alternative perspective from their parents.
Not all people enter grandparenthood in the same manner. Research indicates that nearly 95 percent of all older adults with children become grandparents. In any family circumstance, becoming a grandparent is a doorway to a new opportunity for connection, mentoring and passing on values and family identity.
Acting in the role of grandparent can be one of the special joys of growing older. Grandparents have multiple and important roles that they play in family life. Watchdog, story teller, family historian, listening ear: Grandparents may fulfill all of these roles and more. Remember that grandparents can provide a link to the past and a guide to the future. In many ways, grandparents act as the bridge between generations in a family and within communities.
The role that a grandparent plays in family life can vary widely. A grandparent does not have to act in only one role or remain the same in his or her grandparenting style. A few main styles of grandparenting described in research are:. The point is that a grandparent does not need to practice a particular style.
When a grandparent makes a phone call to a grandchild, attends concerts together or just takes a grandchild someplace, he or she is having a direct influence on a grandchild. Thinking about and reflecting on your own experiences and ideas can be helpful in preparing you to be a grandparent or in your current grandparenting activities.
Consider and reflect on the following questions:. We can choose the actions we take in seeking to establish positive relationships and build lasting memories in the lives of grandchildren. The meaning of grandparenting can be deep and profound for many people. The benefits that come to grandchildren as grandparents take an active role in their lives include a variety of positive contributions. Grandparents can:. To stimulate your thinking and assist you in exploring the role of grandparents, take some time to fill in the blank to each statement and provide your answers or discuss possible ideas with other family members or friends.
Becoming a grandparent introduces adults to a life experience that can be full of meaning and furnish joy as one learns the art of grandparenting. The famous psychologist, Erik Erikson, observed that the most important task of adulthood is the process of generativity, or giving of oneself to the next generation. What are you giving? What would you like to give to the grandchildren in your life?
Take time to appreciate the relationships available to you and consider what you will contribute as a grandparent in raising the next generation. Always look in the oven before you turn it on. Plastic toys and cats do not like ovens. Guarendi, R. Being a grandparent: Just like being a parent. Cincinnati, Ohio: Franciscan Media.
Isay, J. Unconditional love: A guide to navigating the joys and challenges of being a grandparent today. This class helped tremendously on how to deal with the little ones, so that you can bond with them.
Early childhood experts are available to answer any questions, from basic health and nutrition to how to handle challenging behaviors.
Grandparents love. The most important thing that grandparents bring their little ones is love. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers learn and grow through close, caring relationships with the adults in their lives. The attention, interaction and unconditional love from grandparents and parents, of course helps a young child feel safe and secure.
Research also shows that a close, involved relationship is good for grandparents, too, contributing to healthier, happier and possibly even longer lives. I hope the memories they are making will live forever. All Rights Reserved. First Things Blog Information and inspiration for parents and caregivers of babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
All of these roles are important, and there are many more special things grandparents do for their little ones, but here are five to be celebrated: 1. Grandparents give advice. Related Posts. Celebrating the power of grandparents.
Grandparents can play a very important role in the lives…. Grandparents rise to the challenge. Proud parents of two young girls, Katelyn Redlin and her….
0コメント