No matter who you are or how much Financial Wealth you have, the most significant value you can share with your Grandkids is your experiences and wisdom. Not the ole “I walked to school 5 miles in the freezing cold and blowing snow, and by the way it was uphill both ways” yarns. Rather than sharing natural stuff, like when you gave your first presentation at work and were scared to death. Or when you ask someone to the prom, and they say no. The reward was incredible when you tried something for the first time and overcame your fear.
Meaningful Connections
My point is that your personal stories are about wealth. Your lived experiences help your Grandkids know that they are following in the footsteps of real people. I can guarantee they consider you larger than life and on a pedestal. They think you have it all together. They think you couldn’t possibly understand what they are going through.
I can assure you that all effort you apply to make “Meaningful Connections” with your Grandchildren is time well invested for them and you.
My Grands are more grown now, but when they were small, I had my way of connecting that worked for me. I started early when they were small. I would pick them up, hug them, slowly turn them upside down, and try to shake their lunch out of them while I ask them, “Do you know what Grandpa Neil Loves about you?” They always giggle and say, “What.” My answer was a simple “EVERYTHING!” Each time I saw them, they requested their “Upside Down Hug.” I became famous for this in our family and beyond. The simple yet effective magic here is that it was a unique, personal, and affirming connection I had and still have with them.
Admittedly, as they got bigger, I had to resort to hugs for practical reasons (my back).
I can draw a direct line between this seemingly silly act and the fact that I can have a meaningful conversation about real life with my now 16-year-old Granddaughter on the 4-hour ride to and from her dorm at school. Or my 14 and 16-year-old Grandson and his sister about school, work, dating, etc., as we sit around the dining room table just gabbing. Let me reiterate: any effort you make to “Meaningfully Connect” with your Grandchildren will never be for naught. AMEN!
Thank You for being a Caring Grandparent.