The Grandparent Grandchild Bond –

Guest Post by: Jen Altrogge

Tips to Creating a Lifelong Relationship

The grandparent and grandchild bond is extremely special. It is unlike any other. Chances are you have heard the old saying, “Parents have to say no, grandparents get to say yes,” and this could not be more accurate.

At times, it can be difficult for children and their grandparent to bond and find something in common. This is especially true for children who have not had much interaction with their grandparents. The good news is, with the tips here, you can help your children and their grandparents connect and begin to develop that special, lifelong bond.

Get them Involved Early On

If possible, involve a grandparent in the child’s life as early as possible. There is no question the first few weeks after a baby comes home can be difficult. Ask the grandparent to come by and help out. This is a great way for them to begin to develop that all-important bond.

Involve them in School Activities

If you have a child in school, be sure to invite the grandparent to concerts and special events. This could be a musical program or even a special luncheon for Grandparent’s day. The key is to get them involved and make them feel included. Consider getting your child to ask them in a special way, such as with a flower and sweet card. This can be a great way to make the event even more special for everyone involved.

Get them to Participate in Activities the Other One Enjoys

Does the grandparent enjoy gardening? If so, consider having the grandchild help them plant a crape myrtle or flowering pear tree. Consider taking the child shopping to find new trees for sale. This can be a great way for the grandparent to share with the child something they enjoy.

Make sure this goes both ways. Let the grandparent know what the child enjoys doing. This could be playing in the sandbox, drawing, or taking walks around the block. They key is to show interest in what each person enjoys. Sometimes everyone needs a bit of encouragement to do this, so parents should be the mediator of making these plans.

Create Special Rituals

For every birthday, Fourth of July or any other type of family celebration, find something special for the grandparent and grandchild to do. On birthdays it could be measuring the child’s height. Even choose another smaller occasion, such as Arbor Day to plant some type of new tree, such as the blue star juniper or magnolia tree. This can be fun and great for the environment.

There are some grandparents who do not get to see their grandchildren very often. With grandparents now much younger than they were in the past (some as young as 40) finding the time to create this bond is possible. Use the tips here and come up with some other fun things for grandchildren and grandparents to do together. This will provide them with a lifelong relationship that is special and unbreakable.

About the Author: Jen Altrogge is a wife, mother, and writer. You can find out more about her at her website.