As Grandparents, we hold a unique power that can change our Grandkids’ Lives. We have a privileged front-row seat to the growing years of these precious charges. Our words carry magic when we catch our Grandchildren doing anything that challenges them. Be it sports, performance, school, and especially when they display empathy and compassion for someone. This last one is the payoff. This is our chance to etch a valuable behavior into their DNA.
Not all of our Grandkids are high achievers or even exceptional strivers, but the one thing I can find in every one of them is their Loving and Lovability. It is a privilege to hold such an important place in their lives. I honor this opportunity by doing all that I can pay close attention to what is going on in their lives. As I spoke of last week, I strive for connection, not just conversation. I apply the wisdom of “They don’t care what you say, they don’t care what you do, they DO care how you make them feel.”
The top two concerns of Grandparents, especially Caring Grandparents, are the Safety and Health of their Grandchildren. To piggyback on the last paragraph, it is our job to make them FEEL SAFE. Just internalize that for a moment. I can’t speak for all, but I feel invincible when feeling SAFE. It is an empowering state of mind. The great thing is that it only takes a little. Thanks to high tech, I delivered my 16-year-old Granddaughter a two-line dose of energy and affirmation last Friday afternoon. My text said, “Just thought about you. That made me smile”. Not an Oscar but a reward for who she is. Cowabunga!!!!!
One final note; My world is just a brighter and better place when I am Good Seeing, and it spreads Love when I am Good Saying! Oh, Happy Day!
Thank You for being a Caring Grandparent.
Recent Posts
A Boundary Isn’t Rejection. It’s a Blueprint.
A boundary isn't rejection. It's a blueprint for how your family works best. Here's how…
Do You Know Where You Really Stand in Your Family?
Most grandparenting advice skips the most important question: do you know who you are in…
The Grandparent Disconnection Crisis: 5 Lessons from Neil Taft’s TEDx Talk
Grandparents are being quietly left out of their grandchildren's lives at a rate previous generations…
The Bridge to Your Grandchildren: The Book Grandparents and Parents Have Been Waiting For
"Your grandchildren don't need you to be right. They need you to be present. And…
The Grandfather My Children Never Had
A heartfelt reflection on growing up without a present father and wondering how that absence…
Best Gifts for Grandchildren by Age (A Grandparent’s Honest Guide)
Not sure what to give your grandchild this year? Here's an honest, age-by-age gift guide…