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THE GRANDPARENT SPECTRUMS

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neil

I am blessed with 9 Wonderful grandchildren and four equally wonderful, Great Grandchildren in our blended family. They range in age from 14 to 36. If you get the picture of a plethora of experiences, binary and Non-binary genders, socioeconomic, geographic, familial, and cultural backgrounds, you are getting the picture pretty clear.

Some of my grandkids have been fortunate to have been raised in stable households; others are on the other end of the spectrum and have been abandoned by one or both parents. All of this makes for some interesting situations, but these are the cards I have been dealt. No matter what, each and all of my Grandchildren deserve to be Loved and cared about right where they are and their parents supported and not judged.

Neil Taft with extended family celebrating grandparent-grandchild bonds

Neil Taft with his three grandkids enjoying an outdoor activity

I call this Grandparenting on a variety of Grandparenting Spectrums. Even within the same families, each child brings a different perspective on their experiences. I am close to having my Ph.D. in Grandparenting since I have been a Caring and involved Grandparent all along the way.

Let’s look at just one of the Spectrums.

Take the Age Spectrum. It is an ever-changing and challenging spectrum to adjust to depending on which Grandchild and their age at the time. I have had to adjust my approach. The little miracles I used to give upside-down hugs to have grown into fine, albeit much more extensive versions of themselves.

Neil Taft's signature upsidedown hug, this is his one way of creating lasting and meaningful connections to his grandlchildren

One of the things I really enjoy about this evolution of Grandparenting is that the questions are more meaningful, and they often allow me to make and maintain more meaningful connections with each of them. It probably goes back to my Youth Ministry days, but I have worked hard at formulating questions and relationships that allow each of them to feel safe and comfortable sharing what is going on in their worlds with the Old Guy.

I don’t mean to understate the challenges or the importance of making meaningful connections with each of our Grandchildren. We have the privilege and responsibility to pay as close attention as possible to make sure we use our place as Grandparents to the best interest of our Grandkids. In the coming articles, I will touch on the many Spectrums we encounter as Caring Grandparents.

Thank You for being a Caring Grandparent.