Becoming a grandparent will change your life. Now, you will experience the same type of unconditional love you felt for your own kids, but without all the sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and headaches.
Being a great grandparent can be a great way to build a bond with your grandchild. After all, you want them to WANT to visit you, not think of it as a chore.
If you want to be a great grandparent, be sure to use these tips.
Keep some toys at your house.
It doesn’t matter how often your grandchild comes to visit, by providing toys for your grandchild to play with while there, you’ll be a great grandparent. No child wants to be bored out of their mind, and if they’re forced to just watch TV while at your house, that’s exactly what they’ll be. Talk with your child to see what type of toys would be good for your grandchild, and then either buy some new toys or shop around garage sales and resale shops for those that are gently used.
Keep good snacks at your house.
Since you’re much older than your grandchild, your tastes are probably much different. But that doesn’t mean that you should force your grandchild to eat whole-wheat crackers every time they come to visit. Be sure to keep some kid-friendly snacks on hand for your grandchild to enjoy. You can keep it healthy with granola bars and applesauce, or you can spoil them with cookies and other sugary treats (as long as it’s in moderation).
Provide support.
Being there to support your grandchild will show them that you care and make you a great grandparent in their eyes. For example, attend their sports games, plays, and graduations to show them how proud you are. You can even provide support in other ways by accompanying them to doctor or dental exams that may be painful or scary. Being there to hold their hand and provide assurance can make you a valuable asset to your grandchild.
Don’t be too old.
While you can’t change your age, you can change the way you behave. You may be set in your ways and enjoy your quiet lifestyle, but you need to remember that your grandchild is a young individual whose curiosity forces them to be explorative. Don’t force your grandchild to only do quiet activities while at your house, and don’t treat your grandchild as if he or she is a nuisance. Instead, let them be kids and be loud. If you don’t want to do this in your home, take your grandchild to a park, to the zoo, or somewhere else where being loud is acceptable. Not only will they have fun, but also they’ll be extremely happy that you took them there.
Respect their parents.
Yes, it is your job as a grandparent to spoil your grandchildren, but it’s also important that you respect his or her parents and their wishes. For example, if your child has your grandchild on a strict bedtime, try your best to abide by it. If you don’t, you’ll be teaching your grandchild that disobeying their parents is acceptable, and that is not something you want to do. Plus, if you follow your child’s rules, it will make him or her more willing to bring your grandchild to your home more regularly.
Article Submitted by Community Writer.
