How to Be a Better Grandparent

In America, it’s common for elderly people to use services such as caregiving, physical therapy, and even activities like Zumba. They can enjoy their well-deserved retirement anywhere. However, some of these elders don’t actually prefer such service and sometimes they would rather help out at home and raise their grandchildren.

Some elders, even though they already have experience in raising children, might have difficulty bonding with their grandchildren. Here are some tips for grandparents when it comes to working on building relationships with their lovely little tykes:

One on One Time

It is imperative that both grandparents and grandchildren spend enough time with one another in order to get to know each other better. They should also find something to do that they both enjoy – perhaps the elder one could introduce a new activity to the younger one and vice versa. The grandparent could re-introduce old pastimes such as reading classic literature, knitting or collecting items. Grabbing a cup of coffee while sharing some memorable past experiences will definitely give a good start. On the other hand, the young one could then show the elder the wonders of modern technology – video games, pop tunes, TV shows, and movies are great ways to ensure a fun time for both parties.

Holding Hands

Holding hands is another great way to bond – literally! The physical contact reinforces both of each other’s presence in their lives. It also keeps them together, closer, making any outdoor walk more fun. Even a lazy Sunday stroll would be more comforting knowing that there’s someone there with you all the way. It can also be a great experience for the young one as the elder can teach them about their surroundings as well.

Sharing Family History

Nothing beats a good story, especially if they’re ones about your family members. Grandparents can take a walk down memory lane with their young one and show them their family’s history, their heritage, and of course, their shenanigans. No good family story is complete without a little mischievous humor, after all.

Another great topic for grandparents could cover can be about the changes that people have gone through over the years. It’s always interesting to hear about the world from their perspective back when everything was different; the world has evolved to a considerable degree and hearing firsthand about the past can be a great way to both educate young ones while satisfying their curiosity for a bit of history.

The Don’ts:

Being a grandparent, while certainly allowed a lot of freedom over their grandchildren, should always remember that they are not required to buy their way to their younglings’ hearts. Be careful that they do not get spoiled from an overabundance of gifts such as toys and goodies; engage them in memorable activities instead as these will be more precious in the long run. Family time is, after all, irreplaceable, rare, and incredibly precious.

Now, this might not be everything, but it’s a good start to becoming a good grandparent. Good luck to all the people about to be them! Give your love to your children and grandchildren as you receive love in return. It’s a new exciting chapter in your life and it is truly something that will make the golden years that much brighter.

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