Action points for effective grandparentsWritten by Don Schmitz
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•If you can’t be physically present with your grandchildren because of distance, be there in other ways. Some examples might be e-mails, letters, phone calls, gift giving, video and pictures and activity books. Any activity between families takes coordination. Don’t wait for kids to come to you. •Tell stories of your past. •Let your grandchild know how human you are. Your wisdom gained through experience has taught us to be more open to our emotions. Share your happiness, sadness, fears, embarrassments and mistakes. •Talk about your religion, talk about lessons you’ve learned in your life, talk about their parents and fun you had raising them. •When you are together with parents, say only good things about your time together. Yes, our precious little grandchildren will have faults; look where they came from, but love them with no conditions…this is greatest gift we can bestow on our grandchildren.
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@grandkidsandme.com.
| | “Sit right here!” is a new gameWritten by Don Schmitz
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She got into feeling of authority quickly and orders didn’t stop, “Sit right here!” “Sit right here!” “Sit right here!” Over and over, I would sit where she wanted and each time, her eyes would light up and her smile clearly conveyed feeling of accomplishment. As I write this story, I am reminded of how speaking requires not only a speaker but a listener. I am so happy I was able to hear what Bella had to say. How many times in past have people tried to communicate with me and I never heard what was said? Maybe that’s one of benefits of being a grandparent, maybe we finally take time to “Get it!”
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@grandkidsandme.com.
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