Bev and I thoroughly enjoy sleep overs at our house with our young granddaughters...lots of hugs, laughter, fun and games - and squeals of delight as the girls play with the puppy.
Of course there are numerous “Hey Grammy…watch me!” Followed by a somersault or a ballerina twirl and an ear-to-ear grin.
Then all too quickly, the weekend is over, the girls are with parents, and we sit with coffee in hand and reflect on their recent visit. As we chat about the specific good times we shared together, Grammy with a tired body but a smile in her voice says, “Now I remember why God gave children to young couples!”
The joys and concerns of grand parenting. The truth be told…grand parenting is lot like part-time parenting…with all of the day to day stress removed.
Good Grandparents, like good parents, spend a significant amounting of time listening to the child’s heart, observing the child doing something good and then complimenting those choices. It is not rocket science…it is called encouragement.
Affirmation. That which gets encouraged, gets done. Remember you are teaching with every word and deed…and the grandchildren are learning…they will mimic your attitudes and actions. Big responsibility. Huge opportunity!
What about correcting the grandchildren? Don’t they need correcting? Of course! Lots of correcting! How else will they learn to make safe, self-enhancing choices? Children can’t know what they have not experienced; and grandparents have oh-so-much-more experience - let’s share it! Wrap it with love then say it, show it, expect it and reinforce it with natural or logical consequences. It is called Nurturing.
Funny how children love to be nurtured. The more Grandparents role model the character traits and behaviors they desire from their grandchildren, the more likely the grand children will choose attitudes and behaviors that are good for everybody. Especially for themselves.
One more thing: Children love attention. And they will get attention – even negative attention is better that no attention…It is their job! Remember, it is all too easy for a grandparent to spend significant time correcting misbehavior rather than redirecting behavior to something positive for the child. And for Grandma and Grandpa!
Is Grand-parenting hard work?. Yes. Is anything worthwhile, worth doing, worth experiencing…easy? You know the answer.
You know this answer too…Is anything more precious than holding your grandchild in your arms? Don’t forget to remember: You hold your grandchild’s heart in your hands. Treat it well, nurture it, encourage it, counsel it, accept it as the work in progress that it is. Everything you give to your grandchild’s heart will return to you …shaken down and pressed together!
Grandpa Gary and Grandma Bev
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Reflection Story Note: Hear the words of Jesus from Luke 6:38 (NIV) - “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap!”
Of course there are numerous “Hey Grammy…watch me!” Followed by a somersault or a ballerina twirl and an ear-to-ear grin.
Then all too quickly, the weekend is over, the girls are with parents, and we sit with coffee in hand and reflect on their recent visit. As we chat about the specific good times we shared together, Grammy with a tired body but a smile in her voice says, “Now I remember why God gave children to young couples!”
The joys and concerns of grand parenting. The truth be told…grand parenting is lot like part-time parenting…with all of the day to day stress removed.
Good Grandparents, like good parents, spend a significant amounting of time listening to the child’s heart, observing the child doing something good and then complimenting those choices. It is not rocket science…it is called encouragement.
Affirmation. That which gets encouraged, gets done. Remember you are teaching with every word and deed…and the grandchildren are learning…they will mimic your attitudes and actions. Big responsibility. Huge opportunity!
What about correcting the grandchildren? Don’t they need correcting? Of course! Lots of correcting! How else will they learn to make safe, self-enhancing choices? Children can’t know what they have not experienced; and grandparents have oh-so-much-more experience - let’s share it! Wrap it with love then say it, show it, expect it and reinforce it with natural or logical consequences. It is called Nurturing.
Funny how children love to be nurtured. The more Grandparents role model the character traits and behaviors they desire from their grandchildren, the more likely the grand children will choose attitudes and behaviors that are good for everybody. Especially for themselves.
One more thing: Children love attention. And they will get attention – even negative attention is better that no attention…It is their job! Remember, it is all too easy for a grandparent to spend significant time correcting misbehavior rather than redirecting behavior to something positive for the child. And for Grandma and Grandpa!
Is Grand-parenting hard work?. Yes. Is anything worthwhile, worth doing, worth experiencing…easy? You know the answer.
You know this answer too…Is anything more precious than holding your grandchild in your arms? Don’t forget to remember: You hold your grandchild’s heart in your hands. Treat it well, nurture it, encourage it, counsel it, accept it as the work in progress that it is. Everything you give to your grandchild’s heart will return to you …shaken down and pressed together!
Grandpa Gary and Grandma Bev
<><><><><><><><>
Reflection Story Note: Hear the words of Jesus from Luke 6:38 (NIV) - “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap!”