Becoming a grandparent is one of the most important of life's passages. New grandparents have a lot of joy in store, but they may also have some adjusting to do. Here is practical advice to help new grandfathers and grandmothers have the time of their lives, and enrich their grandchildren's lives at the same time!
Your career as a grandparent begins even before your grandchild is born. From the moment when you get the good news, your actions and reactions matter. These ten suggestions for new grandparents will earn you the gratitude of the expectant parents and pave the way for a great relationship with your grandchild.
New parents can be overwhelmed by the changes in their lives. Grandparents can help with child care, housework, errands and other tasks. New parents are under stress, and grandparents will need to use diplomacy and tact when offering help.
Many grandparents today are bypassing Grannie and Grandpa to choose what they feel are more individualized and meaningful names.
You Can Call Me Hoppa by Lauren Charpio has lots of examples of grandparent names, along with anecdotes and advice.
If you're a new grandparent, you are concerned with the health of the new mother as well as that of the baby. You'll need to be alert for signs of the "baby blues" as well as symptoms of the more serious postpartum depression. This article gives advice about what to look for, along with first person accounts of dealing with PPD.
If you think your daughter or daughter-in-law has postpartum depression, what's your next step? Here is advice on starting the conversation, helping the new mother out and seeking additional help if needed. Personal stories add valuable insights.
As you plan for the arrival of your grandbaby, consider where the baby will nap during visits, or where he will sleep if spending the night. You have lots of choices to consider, from foldable cribs, to tent-like pods, to portable play yards. Be sure to read the safety information from the manufacturer.
Perhaps you want an old-fashioned high chair, or perhaps you want something smaller or more portable. The range of choices in chairs for your new grandbaby will boggle your mind. Here's help in choosing just the right chair for your grandchild and for your house.
When grandchildren have special needs, grandparents are challenged to be special as well. There's a great deal that grandparents can do, but they must remember to follow the lead of the parents. Also, they must keep themselves physically and emotionally strong.
This book by the Grandparents Association of the U.K. offers thoughtful advice to new grandparents, along with lots of stories and anecdotes. It's well organized and readable. Some advice is specific to Great Britain, but most is applicable to grandparents almost everywhere.
