Don’t keep secrets from parents and don’t ask grandchildren to keep secrets from their parents. Many grandparents believe that some information should not be shared with parents, but this only undermines relationships.

4. There is no substitute for planning. Proper planning ensures that activity will be discussed with parents. No matter what age or sex of your grandchild, planning makes any activity more successful. This is not to say you can’t be spontaneous, but it’s often better and safer to have a plan.

Discuss with child what he or she would like to do. Give careful thought to age appropriateness of activities before you begin. Giving children choices increases their self-confidence and is great training for future.

5. Grandchildren and grandparents want to have fun! There is no substitute for good old-fashioned belly laughs. It's good for you, your grandchild and your relationship. During activity itself, share with your grandchildren how excited you are about being with them. Children enjoy getting away from their parents for short periods of time and grandparents enjoy being part of a very important relationship. Parents enjoy their break too.

Dan continued to be most difficult child I ever taught and demanded constant attention throughout year, but from that day on, I always knew when I could get Dan to smile his gorgeous smile, everything was right with world.

Many years later, Dan came back to visit me at school. He was dressed in his U. S. Navy uniform wearing his beautiful smiles. I asked Dan to speak to students and his smile and his uniform immediately captured their attention. He told them how much Mr. Schmitz had meant to him and how much I had positively affected his life.

It was best thank you I have ever received.

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting …Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of Grandkidsandme, which includes: Grandparent Camps and Grandkid Days. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration, Human Development and father to three sons and seven grandchildren. Contact Don Don@grandkidsandme.com.