Bringing up kids is a delicate task. There are many aspects to take care of; their studies, hobbies, habits, friends, etc. Among all these tasks, very vital undertaking is to ensure that your kids get along with their grandparents. Grandparents are seasoned and mature, thus can impart learning and cultural heritage onto your children. Connecting with grandparents is very important during the growing years. Even if they put up at a distance, you should find ways to foster this association.
1. Trips to familiarize
Frequent trips with your kids to their grandparents place is a must. If they are in the same town this becomes easier. Children can drop in for an overnight stay whenever they feel like. But even if grandparents live in a different city, you must take time out from your schedule for a visit. A great idea to nurture the relationship is to plan holidays, picnics or movies with grandparents.
2. Stay in touch
Technology is a boon for those who have a family scattered across different cities, it creates a sense of attachment despite the distance. Make your child call up grandparents on a timely basis. Ask them to exchange mails with grandparents. Record cute videos of your children and send them across to grandparents. Their remarks and joy on watching it is sure to delight your young ones. Also, send across snaps of your children to grandparents. In addition, keep framed photographs of grandparents in your house. Make an album or family tree and flip through the same with your kids. This helps them to get acquainted with relations and develop a sense of family pride.
3. Share a hobby
Most grandparents have a hobby, it can be stamp collection, cooking, gardening, etc. Whenever you talk about grandparents with your kids, just tip them about the hobby and see if it incites any interest. Kids usually love gardening and relish grandmothers cooking. So, the next time grandmother is baking their favorite cookies, you can ask your children to help her out. Engaging in an activity together will definitely help your kids to gel better. It is really easy to find an activity both kids and grandparents can enjoy together. If you have a young boy, he will most definitely be into sports. You can arrange him to play it with his grandfather once in a while.
4. Activities that interest children
A really good way to establish a relationship with children is to do things that interest them. So, if the child likes listening to stories, they would be thrilled to have grandparents read out to them. In case your daughter is taking ballet lessons and her grandmother also shares her interest, you can plan a sitting for them together. Tips and critical advice from her would definitely be valued by your daughter. It is good to keep grandparents informed about your children’s activities and interests. This way they will know exactly what will help them connect with the young ones better.
