Pay Bill

It’s been said that grandparenting offers many of the joys of parenting minus the responsibility or, shall we say, the drudgery of everyday parenting. Don’t let this special time of life pass you by without making the most of it. The Foundation for Grandparenting offers these tips for being a better grandparent:

• Start before your grandchild is born by helping to nurture the marriage between the parents.
• Spend one-on-one time with your grandchild, giving undivided attention in an unhurried manner.
• Be part of your grandchild’s life. This means keeping up to date with things … and being computer literate: try e-mailing to keep in touch!
• Show that family is important. Be a resource to all family members, and strive to keep harmony between yourself and the child’s parents.
• Work as a "team member" with the parents. Foster openness and understanding.
• Learn from your mistakes with your own children and try not to repeat them with your grandchild.
• Accept generational differences in an understanding way. Don’t be critical.
• Understand that the psychological nature of the bond with your grandchild will be different from that between you and your own children.
• Remember the qualities of a good grandparent: selfless, altruistic, loving, caring, supportive, nonjudgmental, and tolerant.
• Take your multifaceted role to heart: teacher, role model, nurturer, historian, caretaker, spiritual guide, wizard.

SOURCE: The Foundation for Grandparenting Web Site