Being a grandparent is one of the greatest blessings in the world. You have a special bond with your little grandchildren without having to worry about parental responsibilities. You’re there to provide comfort, support and love, help them grow up into compassionate and polite adults and share numerous moments of happiness with them. Although you won’t have to worry about everyday responsibilities regarding their upbringing, there are several important things you need to keep in mind when they are spending time with you.
1. Kids need boundaries
Children need to have structure in life so that they can learn responsibility, appropriate forms of behavior and so on. While parents are the ones who need to set these boundaries for their children, you need to make sure that you implement them, too. You need to learn about their daily routines and rules and make them a part of your household policy. If you just let them do anything they want, you’ll undermine their parent’s efforts and authority. Of course, you can be less strict with them as long as they still remain respectful of your and their parent’s authority.
2. Kids need snacks
Snacks are another important part of their daily routine that will keep your grandchildren energized and healthy. You should ask their parents what they usually give them as snacks. Although carrots and celery sticks are healthy, they may not be your grandchildren’s favorite choices. Instead, you should think of some other healthy yet delicious snacks that your grandkids will simply love. From cucumber sandwiches to fruit pizzas, you have plenty of fun and delicious snack options. You can pack small snack portions in bags when you’re going out so that you can easily feed those hungry mouths.
3. You need to replenish your supplies
If you’re expecting your grandchildren for the weekend, you need to go shopping beforehand and get everything you might need, from groceries to hygiene products. If you run out of certain supplies, going to the store in the middle of the night and leaving your grandchildren alone is dangerous. Bringing them along can be an inconvenience because they may feel sleepy, agitated or particularly energized. Thus, it’s always better to have everything ready before they come. Make sure to ask their parents whether they have any allergies that you need to be aware of. In addition, consider purchasing safe natural baby products, such as wipes, skincare, sunscreen, baby wash, etc. This way, you’ll eliminate the risk of exposing your grandchildren to harmful chemicals and use products rich in natural, nourishing ingredients.
4. Kids need plenty of water
Children are always running around and playing, which can easily cause dehydration. Whether you’re going out or just spending time in your backyard, you should always have several bottle of water within your reach. Not only will they stay hydrated, but you will too — after all, you’ll be running around with them. On those particularly hot days, you can even bring a cooler to keep the beverages refreshing.
5. You need to be prepared
Since children are constantly running around, there will be occasions when they’ll fall, scratch themselves and get a bruise or two. While sometimes you will need to do nothing more than just calm them down, other times you might need to clean wounds and apply bandages. No matter how much you try to protect them, children often get hurt, so you need to be prepared. You should always have some first aid supplies in your car, such as sterile wipes and bandages.
6. You need to think of fun kid-friendly activities
Spending time with your grandchildren is an opportunity to make some great memories and have fun together. Therefore, you need to think of some interesting activities that will keep your children engaged. Planning some outdoor activities will also provide them with some exercise while car games or activities will prevent them from becoming irritable, especially if you’re planning a road trip. When thinking of different games, make sure to have several activities planned out. Children have short attention spans and they can easily get bored, so having some additional activities just in case can come in handy.
Grandparents and grandchildren have a special bond that can truly enrich your life. However, being a grandparent brings a lot of responsibilities, so make sure to have everything covered for some fun.
