Having the Prime of My Life

Photo by OC Gonzalez on Unsplash

There’s nothing like a grandparent’s love.  We can offer wisdom and sometimes do fun things with our grands. As we age, we become a little more patient with picking up stones on a walk through the park, spotting a squirrel, or just feeding ducks at the pond.

 Since we’re not a parent, we can get away with spoiling a child. In the early years, our children resisted our special gift-giving when we came to visit, fearful that they’d only associate the giving with our visit. I say, “It’s not for them … it’s for me.”

I remember when our kids were younger, my husband’s mother liked to bring special things over for the kids. I resisted then just as my children resisted our efforts. My mother-in-law would say, “I picked it up in a garage sale,” or find would come up with some other excuse to continue her special treats. When I realized her gift-giving and special attention was more for her than my children, I began to accept the demonstrations of her love for our kids.

GRANDPARENTING IS MORE THAN TREATS

Unconditional Love and Support

Endless patience: Grandparents often have the time and patience to truly listen and understand their grandchildren.
Encouragement: They're cheerleaders who believe in their grandchildren's dreams and abilities.
Acceptance: Grandparents offer unconditional love and acceptance, creating a safe space for their grandchildren to grow.

Creating Lasting Memories

Storytelling: Sharing family history and personal anecdotes creates a strong sense of belonging.
Teaching new skills: Whether it's baking, gardening, or playing an instrument, grandparents love passing down their knowledge.
Playtime: Engaging in imaginative play, building forts, or simply cuddling creates cherished memories.

Building Strong Bonds

Quality time: Grandparents often prioritize spending quality time with their grandchildren, building a strong emotional connection.
Passing down traditions: Keeping family traditions alive helps preserve cultural heritage and strengthens family ties.
Being a listening ear: Grandparents are often a trusted confidant for their grandchildren, offering guidance and support.

Offering a Different Perspective

Wise advice: Drawing from their life experiences, grandparents offer valuable advice and perspective.
Teaching life lessons: Sharing lessons learned can help grandchildren navigate challenges and make informed choices.
Showing gratitude: Grandparents often model gratitude and appreciation for life's simple pleasures.

The above are tips I found online. What do you think? How do you show love beyond goodies?