5 Tips for Successful GrandparentingWritten by Don Schmitz
Building on cherished connection between grandparents and grandchildren is a life-long privilege. As grandchildren grow and mature role grandparents play in lives of their grandchildren changes but principals remain true at any age. 1. Boundaries are necessary for control and safety. All children need and must learn to respect boundaries. Being clear about expectations before an activity begins frees you and child to enjoy event and ensures safety of everyone involved. If you observe boundaries are being violated, don’t be afraid to remind your grandchildren again. Restate rules as many times as necessary. Writing rules and posting them or bringing them along is a good idea. If a rule is violated during activity, ask child to repeat or read rules again. 2.Gift giving is not a requirement of grandparenting. Establish a practice with your first grandchild and stick with it; what you do for one doesn’t necessarily have to be done for all. Financial and family situations change as our children grow. If a family experiences loss of a job or divorce, don’t be afraid to make temporary changes. Gifts are gifts especially when they are unexpected. Surprise gifts are best. Gifts don’t have to cost a lot. Research supports fact that “time together” is best gift we can give. Travel provides time for grandparent and grandchildren to discover and appreciate each other’s gifts. 3. All rules must be consistent with parents’ wishes. Anything you do with and for your grandchild needs to be discussed first with parents. After all, parents make rules and effective grandparents support them.
| | When children are asking for loveWritten by Don Schmitz
Dapper Dan was a first grade student in my classroom. Unfortunately, he represents many children and grandchildren today who are asking for our love. In my twenty years of teaching, there is no child who challenged me more than Dapper Dan. He also is child I remember most from my twenty years of teaching. I will never forget my first week in classroom with Dapper Dan. He was a skinny small boy with a gorgeous smile. His smile however was displayed far too infrequently. He came from a broken home and craved love and attention. The day this was most apparent was day Dan decided that he was not going to go to lunch with other children. He had latched onto his desk with his head inside and he wouldn't let go. What was I to do? The only option I could think of was to carry Dan, his chair and his desk down to Principal's office while we went to lunch. I remember feeling like a mother duck as I carried Dan, his chair and his desk and was followed by twenty-five little first graders through secretary's office and into Principal Kovatch's office. Five minutes later, Dan came walking into cafeteria with Mr. Kovatch wearing a big smile on his face.
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