grandparenting
dates and grandpa trips, and we reach them on their own communication preferences—text, facetime, and their personal social media favorites. As the A ssembler, we gather them for reunions, dinners, and get-togethers of all kinds with their cousins whom they bond with for life, and with their aunts and uncles who become parental back-ups. We assemble them electronically too, on Zoom calls or in Marco Polo groups, and regardless of distance, we keep everyone in touch and up to date on each other. And as the M atch, we support them materially and financially in ways that motivate rather than spoil them, that stimulate initiative rather than entitlement. For more on the Eyres’ grandparenting approaches and strategies, go to grandparenting101.com
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I had come prepared to suggest some even more specific answers to that all-important second ques- tion about what we want to be remembered for as grandparents, and I wanted to create four penetrating mental images that they would retain and that would influence their priorities and their paradigms in lead- ing and managing their three-generation families. So, I put this slide on the screen: I hope, as grandparents” I said, “that we can be remembered first for being part of an effective team with the parents, and second for being all four letters of T.E.A.M.—The T runk, the E ar, the A ssembler, and the M atch.” As the T runk, we are the connection between the
branches of our children and grandchildren and the roots of our ancestors. As we tell our grandchildren the stories of their great and great-great-grandpar- ents, we give them a sense of identity and belonging. Data and surveys prove that the most resilient and best-adjusted kids are the ones who know and con- nect to their ancestors. As the E ar, we ask and listen with great interest and without judgment. We want to know everything about how our grandkids feel, about what they like and what they want to be. We take notes on what they say in our grandparent’s ledger, and they know that we think they are unique and special and that we will always be there for them. We take them on individual grandma
Richard and Linda Eyre’s parenting and life-balance books have reached millions and been translated into a dozen languages. As fellow Baby Boomers, their passion
and their writing focus has now shifted to the joy of Grandparenting. Linda’s latest book is Grandmothering , Richard’s is Being a Proactive grandfather , and their latest co-authored book is Life in Full.
16 GRANDP arenting
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