What do you do when the out of control child in your life is your grandchild – and he is living with you?

This dilemma is being faced by more and more grandparents today. For a wide variety of reasons, their adult child is not able to parent and the responsibility falls onto the grandparents to parent. Even in the best of circumstances this is often a difficult scenario depending upon the age and health of the grandparents.

However, throw in the extraordinary challenge of a difficult child and any well-meaning grandparent can quickly find himself in over his head.

If this describes your situation a bit, then consider the following suggestions carefully.

– You can\’t do this alone.

I have parented for nearly thirty years and if there\’s one thing I know, it\’s that every parent needs support. This can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Certainly a spouse or partner is the first line of support, if that\’s available to you. Other parents can be invaluable as a source of emotional support and practical encouragement. Try to find another grandparent who has grappled with a family situation like the one you are facing or something similar. You need someone who understands your unique situation.

Be proactive and consider starting your own grandparents support group at your local library or recreation center. You might be surprised how many other grandparents are walking a similar path and need you as much as you need them.

– Parent first and foremost.

As much as you would probably love to be primarily a grandparent to this child, your first responsibility is to be a parent.

And those are two very different tasks.

Especially if you are seeking guidance on what to do with an out of control child, you know in your heart you must be a strong leader for your grandchild.

A challenging child needs love that is loaded with firmness and structure. You need to be two steps ahead of this child at all times. Easier said than done, but doing so will help you guide your out of control child into an enthusiastic and self-controlled child, which is the way it should be.

Take parenting classes, participate in parenting coops, and be sure and spend plenty of quality time one on one with your child. Nothing will transform a child better or faster than a solid, loving and structured ongoing relationship. Your child wants to know his life is secure and cherished and that is always spelled t-i-m-e.

This is where you have the advantage in the parenting game. You have a lifetime of experiences, hobbies, talents and interests to share with your child. Hours spent gardening, sewing, cooking, fishing or playing music together will translate into a solid relationship and your grandchild coming to realize that no one loves him like you do.

Grandparents who are parenting out of control children? This may be the challenge of your lifetime; but the prize – a well-adjusted, growing child – is more than worth working for.

Author Bio: Is your child dishing out too much drama? Let Colleen Langenfeld show you proven tips on parenting you can use right now at http://www.paintedgold.com . Get a free behavior log plus more key strategies of how to control out of control children starting today.

Category: Parenting
Keywords: out of control children,out of control child