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In the interest of sparking some discussion around here, we're going to start posting daily questions. You can find them posted here and also linked from the front page of Grandparents.com.
Today's question -- what one piece of advice would you pass on to new grandparents?
Feel free to post your response below. You can make them as long or as short as you like and there are no wrong answers.
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mattlaw
04/23/08 @ 10:32 AM
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1
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Somebody once said that grandchildren are your reward for not having given in to impulse and killed or sold your own kids when they were teenagers. Relax, and enjoy it.
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srhcb
04/23/08 @ 08:52 PM
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2
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never feel bad or old about being called grandma or grandpa, I can't wait for my granddaughter to call me grandma, its a milestone and a wonderful one at that.
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tinyGrandma
04/24/08 @ 12:55 PM
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3
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I have been "adopted" as 'grammy' to several kids and they are all happy to see me coming, I jump them one minute when they need it
and hug them and love on them the next minute after I explain why they got into trouble. I always tell them I have an open door policy, which is to say that they can come to me with questions no matter how embarrasing, and with problems no matter how bad. I give the same options to their parents. which leads me to the next piece of advice, HUMOR your in-laws(daughter/son)no matter what you do with the children, let the parents be updated. don't disagree with parents, if you don't agree, step back for a while.if you don't, you will soon be argueing over visitation, the parents will use the only leverage they have, the kids.BELIEVE ME, THE GRANDBABIES ARE WORTH YOU BITING YOUR TONGUE.
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anigrany
04/27/08 @ 10:46 AM
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4
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One piece of advice that I have found to be really important is, not to try to tell the new parents how to handle their new baby. If they ask for advice, tell them and don't get upset if they don't do what you advise. They prefer to learn as they go and not be interferred with. Just be there if they need you. This way, there are no hard feelings. Believe me, it helps them more if you are on the sidelines for them if they mess up.
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ktty484
05/24/08 @ 07:07 PM
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5
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My one piece of advice would be...remember this is your grandchild. You have already raised their mother or father. Play with them, spend some time with them if possible, spoil them, and love them. Give helpful hints when asked.
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gmamary
05/29/08 @ 10:46 AM
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6
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I keep a computer log on each of my 5 grandsons. Under their names I write the cute little things they say or do, or moments that touch my heart. I have 17 pages on the oldes, age 8. When I go back and read them I am amazed at the wonderful moments that slipped my memory. I think printed up the pages will make a great graduation from college gift.
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Seanma
06/15/08 @ 09:05 PM
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7
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Enjoy each and every day ... the world is a much faster place now than it use to be and things are capable of changing without notice... good and bad. I now keep a journal for each grandchild. I only wish I had started it when they were babies. They will get it when they turn 18 ... or so... The love you have for grandkids is very different than for your own kids. You will also find you have a different tolerance and tolerance level for the grandkids than you did for your own kids. You have 'been there and done that" and now know that every one survived... the glass can be replaced or really wasn't that important after all but those grandbabies are irreplacable.
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whitedog
07/02/08 @ 02:00 PM
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8
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Enjoy each and every hour you spend with them. I love reading her books, taking her to the park just enjoying every minute with her. We live four hours away so we usually see her at least once a month. I speak with her Mom and her everyday, but she likes hanging up on me. My daughter has pictures of everything she does and I always read her blog.
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gparents1
07/04/08 @ 02:15 AM
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9
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You have to respect the grandclild's parents wishes...When my daughter was born I did not want her consuming ANYTHING other than formula, and on a strict schedule with feedings every 3-4 hours. I made myself VERY clear, however, twice the grandparents gave her rice cereal- once at 2 weeks old and again at 4 weeks...and they were feeding her every 2 hours! Since then, my daughter does not have overnight or extended visits with them, and she won't until she is old enough to be fed cereal. They are upset now that they aren't allowed to keep her, but they still show no remorse for breaking the rules. It's not the grandparents place to decide some things, especially if it's against doctor's advice. In the end, remember that the parents are the ones that decide who gets to babysit.
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nadyasmom
07/04/08 @ 04:35 PM
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10
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Be there for your grandchild and also for your child. Don't give advice or tell them how to raise their kids . . . never forget what it was like for you to be the parent. Treasure each moment because time flies by so fast these days. Always remember you are the grandparent NOT THE PARENT!!! And don't get sucked into being the PARENT instead of the GRANDPARENT . . . remember your kids have to go through the good times and the bad just like you did with them!
Smile, relax and enjoy your grandkids while you can!
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Nanna527
07/13/08 @ 02:29 AM
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10
