Grandparenting
Being your grandkid’s champion BY LINDA AND RICHARD EYRE
O ne of the most fun and
How do we become their champions? How do we become their biggest cheerleaders and strongest supporters and encouragers? Much of it is natural and instinctive, because we are so proud of our grandkids, and trans- forming that pride and love into active “championship” is just saying it more, making it more obvious, and basically just assum- ing the role of their agent, their promoter, their facilitator, and their personal source of confidence. Beyond that, we need to realize that grand- kids need a different kind of championing at different ages. Think about the main thing they need and the main thing you can be for them in three different age groups: Grandkids from babies to eight-year-olds: Be their ringmasters
most natural parts of being a proactive grandparent is becoming a champion for your grandkids. This is not the kind of champion we see on the podium after winning an Olympic event or the player
that gets carried off the field after winning the game. This is where the word “champion” becomes a verb as well as a noun, and where you become the person who elevates others as their advocate, encourager, supporter, defender, protec- tor, and opportunity-maker. This is the kind of championing where you stand behind the podium, invisible, and cheer for the person you have mentored and trained. In this context, who would you rather cham- pion than your grandchildren?
Eight to 15: Be their buddies 8 and up: Be their consultants
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49 GRANDP arenting
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