GRAND Magazine - November/December 2017 - 24

We can invent our own model
of grandparenting.

- with the louder, sterner voice - and Mom would say, "Wait until
your father gets home." (Then she'd sneak into your bedroom
later to make sure you weren't too sad.)
But society evolves. Today, we have more working mothers
(in the U.S. women make up more than half of the workforce),
more stay-athome dads, more
blended families,
more single parents, and more
same-sex parents.
Grandparents are
often the primary
caregivers for a
child outside of
his or her parents. A full 30% of
working women
depend on grandparents as the
primary source of
childcare. What's
more, the U.S.
Census Bureau
found that by
2012, 2.7 million
grandparents were actually raising their grandchildren, and the
number has grown since then.
Within that shifting structure, families and individuals evolve
too. If the model we observed with our parents or grandparents
is no longer do-able or if we have different ideas - we can invent
our own model of grandparenting.
24 GRAND

NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2017

Give a GRAND Gift

Which traits make us most effective
as grandparents?

From talking to professionals and hundreds of experienced
grandparents, here's a short list of traits that go hand-in-hand
with successful grandparents, right from the start.

Be authentic

Interests and pastimes you truly enjoy are the most sustainable.
That doesn't mean if you get down on the floor a few times and
play with the singing elephant you'll always need to do that. But if
you prefer rocking, rock. If you prefer pushing the stroller, go for
walks. If you prefer cuddling and cooing, do that as often as possible. Interests that are shared strengthen the bond, and as your
grandbaby gets older, you'll have more and more opportunities.

Be available

This doesn't mean drop everything you're doing. It means carve out
some time. Make the effort. Be proactive. Depending on how near or

far you live - or your ability to travel - see your grandchild as often as
you can. If you can't be there face-to-face - use Facetime or Skype.

Be informed

The more you know, the better prepared you are to handle a newborn confidently and to understand the developmental stages as
they occur. A lot has changed since we were raising our own children! The first year of life is vitally important, so learn all you can
to make the most of that first year. Don't miss the opportunity to
enrich your grandbaby's life and well-being.

Be considerate

Wise grandparents say one of the
most important things to remember is that you are not the parent.
Try to empathize with the new
parents, but don't assume. Let
them lead the way and support
- don't subvert - their parenting
philosophies and practices. Also
be considerate of the others in
your grandbaby's network, including the grandparents from the
other side of the family.

Keep your sense
of humor

Starting now and through the
years to come, find the simple
joy and laughter in grandparenting situations. Babies are hilarious and they love to laugh. Let's face it, you can be pretty silly,
too, if you let yourself.
You and your new GRANDbaby are about to start a wonderful
journey together - so enjoy!
Continued on next page

http://www.grandsub.com https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine/ https://www.twitter.com/grandMmagazine

GRAND Magazine - November/December 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - November/December 2017