The first step to exercising this phenomenal Grandparent Power you possess is to pay attention. The second is to share that attention.
I always let my Grandkids know that their parents and I are talking about them all the time. This lets them know that they matter to me, and that is a power that I can hand off to them. I have been referred to in the past to be a “Good Seer and Good Sayer”. I have heard this in management circles referred to as catching them doing something good and letting them know they have been caught in this good act.
One of my favorite TV programs was “The Mentalist”. The protagonist was a consultant character named Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and his sidekick CBI senior agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) solved crimes together. He had paraded as a “Psychic” but realized the downside of being a fraud so he brought his powers of observation to be used for good rather than the fleecing of his clients.
People would call him a Psychic and he would always reply, “I am not a Psychic, I just pay close attention”. There is power in paying close attention. I would encourage you as a Grandparent to get as good as possible at this activity when it comes to your Grandchildren. All kinds of better outcomes will emerge the better you get at this.
Just yesterday I was sharing with my son that I took the opportunity, albeit infrequently of late, to catch my 15-year-old grandson doing something right, and I had sent him a text saying as much. “Good Seeing and Good Saying”. I call this shooting “Affirmation Arrows” at my Grands, and I Love it when I hit the bullseye, which is almost always.
Try it. I think you will find that it will inadvertently brighten your days.
Thank You for being a Caring Grandparent.