Maya Angelou once said, \” (A grandmother) doesn\’t have to teach …and so incredibly becomes the greatest teacher.\”

The relationship between grandmothers…and their grandchildren is something remarkably special. It is so much a part of a child\’s education — in many ways the lessons learned from a childhood filled with loads of time spent with caring grandparents (and other seniors) is far more important than any lessons obtained from years in school. [Garr\’s proposterous]

The specific roles that a grandparent plays vary mainly according to the age of the grandchildren. For infants, grandmothers are care-givers, entertainers and nurturers. As the children grow into toddlers, small children and eventually – adolescents, grandmothers become confidants, role models and companions.

When we spend time with our grandchildren, they develop respect for older people, and for new relationships and can learn new things. By being a positive role model, you are helping put their lives into perspective and giving them a balanced outlook.

Grandparents are often seen as \”stress buffers,\” family \”watchdogs,\” \”roots,\” \”arbitrators,\” and \”supporters.\” We can be the constant in their lives during family disruptions. We\’re playmates for our grandchildren. We are also historians — teaching values, instilling ethnic heritage, and passing on family traditions.

Continuous contact between grandparents and grandchildren builds bonds of love and friendship between the generations. Grandchildren exposed to intergenerational contact are less fearful of old age and the elderly and feel more connected to their families.

We can create an environment where they are nurtured and loved, and join in their play and exploration, helping them to learn about the world. Our non-demanding and ever-loving bond is treasured by children and offers many benefits to grandchildren. This \”vital connection\” between us and our grandchildren blossoms fully when the children have our undivided attention in an unhurried atmosphere.

Martine says,\”The best thing about grandparents is that they can listen without judging. They can offer advice without preaching. They can love unconditionally without the day to day responsibilities of raising a child.

Kathy Watson in Family Focus suggests a few things we can do to build these unique relationships with our grandchildren:

– Take them on a hike, feed the ducks or visit a museum.

– Tell them some of your stories.

– Be an audience for their performances including original poems, dance recitals, sports events, and school presentations.

– Go to the library for the children\’s story hour.

– Be silly with them.

– Make great snacks and let them help even though it adds to the time and mess in the kitchen.

– Teach them songs and sing with them.

– Teach them skills that they will not learn in school like catching a fish, changing a tire or sewing a button on a shirt.

– Lastly, love unconditionally. What can be better than that?

Whatever we decide to do with them, it should be something that we will enjoy as much as they do. Children are like sponges, taking in everything around them. If we want them to appreciate the experience, they need to see that we are having fun, too.

MariAnna Bantell

LoveBeingAGrandma

MariAnna Bantell is the publisher of http://LoveBeingAGrandma.com, a new inbox newsletter targeted at grandmothers – Sharing the Joys, Concerns and Blessings of Grandchildren. She and her husband live in Southeastern PA and are the parents of three children and two grandsons.

MariAnna Bantell is the publisher of http://LoveBeingAGrandma.com, a new inbox newsletter targeted at grandmothers – Sharing the Joys, Concerns and Blessings of Grandchildren. She and her husband live in Southeastern PA and are the parents of three children and two grandsons.

Author Bio: MariAnna Bantell is the publisher of http://LoveBeingAGrandma.com, a new inbox newsletter targeted at grandmothers – Sharing the Joys, Concerns and Blessings of Grandchildren. She and her husband live in Southeastern PA and are the parents of three children and two grandsons.

Category: Family Concerns
Keywords: grandmothers, women, grandchildren, family, teaching, learning, relationships, fun,