grandparenting Grandparenting one-on-one BY LINDA AND RICHARD EYRE W e find it a little surprising how many grand- parents have spent virtually no time with their grandchildren one-on-one or in situa-
tions where the parents are not present. Kids are differ- ent in environments where their parents are not with them. It brings out other aspects of their personalities, and you see them in a different light. We grandparents need to volunteer to babysit occasionally when it is just us and the kids, and find other ways to get to know them by themselves, without parents around. In fact, we should make it our conscious goal to get to know each grandchild one-on-one—to really know them and to keep updating what we know about them as they grow older. Get in the habit of going on individual “Grandpa Dates” or “Grandma Dates” with just one grandchild—a real one-on-one expe- rience. Take that child to lunch—and let him or her pick the restaurant. Whether you have one grandchild or twenty, make this a regular habit. Take along an impressive-looking notebook or “grandkid datebook,” ask them questions, and take notes on their answers. Tell them you want to know as much as you can about them, so you can always be their cheerleader and their helper. Ask them everything from their favorite color and food to what they think they might be when they grow up. Hand them the pen and let them fill in some things in your notebook like, “The three words that best describe me are . . .” or “The best thing and the worst thing in my life right now is . . .”
Richard and Linda Eyre (smack in the middle) with all their kids, spouses and grandkids (so far).
Continued on next page
53 GRANDP arenting
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease