Grandparenting Let’s look deeper at each of those: Be a ringmaster for grandkids under the age of eight In a classic old circus, the ringmaster was out there having a good time and drawing us all into that good time. He appreciated every act and led the applause. He introduced us to the joy! With young grandkids, just show them a good time. Take them places, show them things, spoil them a little (but always in concert and communication with their parents). Enjoy them and let them enjoy you! Be their ringmasters in the circus of their young lives. Be a buddy for the ones between eight and 15 Kids have a lot of friends, but during these years, they need a special kind of buddy—one who knows them, one who loves them unconditionally, one who has always believed in them, one who is always there for them, one whom they can trust and confide in, and to whom they can and will tell anything they want. Also, with these “middle aged” kids, moving into adolescence, you’ve got to be tech savvy and online. And email won’t cut it! Just be, electronically, what- ever and wherever they are. And as they evolve from Facebook and Twitter to Instagram or Pinterest or
relationship of trust in which they will ask for your advice, or at least listen to it. Explain to them that a consultant is not a manager or someone who tells you what to do or pushes you around. A consultant is someone with a lot of experience who can help you with your goals and help you get what you want and become what you want to be. Champion them! Be their champion! It’s the best thing you can do for them, and the happiest thing you can do for yourself!
Snapchat or Whatsapp, or whatever comes next, try to evolve with them.
Be a consultant to those 16 and up Often when kids get to this age, their parents still treat them as kids— and they need someone to treat them as adults. They need someone who wants to know their opinions and who respects those opinions. With these upper teens, establish a
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 . All three of these are now on sale on Amazon.
50 GRANDP arenting
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