Skip to main content

What's a GRANDPARENT to do???

In a recent conversation, the topic of the role of grandparents in a grandchild's life came up. I never really thought of it. Is there a particular role? Is it their role to spoil grandchildren, give them things they have wanted to a long time that the parents have denied them? Is it their role to buy needed items for the kids, like school supplies or clothes when the need presents itself? Is it their role to over- rule the parents authority and also make kids question their parents authority? Just what is the role of a grandparent in the life of a grandchild? These are my thoughts on this subject:

A Grandparent can be a blessing.

A blessing by:
  • Praying for your grandchildren - you can pray for their health, pray for their well-being, pray for their relationship with their parents, pray for their attitudes, pray for them to know the Lord and love His Word.
  • Encouraging your grandchildren - find out what they are going through and encourage them in any way you can. Encourage them to be obedient, willful workers and lovers of good.
  • Providing for them - providing a home where they will be welcome to visit, providing open arms with hugs so they know they can be safe with you, and providing a Godly example as you walk with the Lord.
A Grandparent can leave a legacy.

Leave a legacy by:

  • Bringing the best out in the people around you - be an example and be kind and nice even when others may not show you the same kindness
  • Telling your grandchildren about your grandparents - grandchildren need to know about their lineage and family history. Share with them about visits to your grandparents home, or summers with the cousins, or your own siblings and growing up
  • Honoring your family's reputation through Godly living
A Grandparent can be a model.

Be a model by:

  • Encouraging your grandchildren to live for Christ - share with them your faith in and love for the Lord.
  • Running this worldly race with patience and endurance - share some about the bad times and times of waiting and trusting in God while you waited on Him.
  • Being courageous when the time demands it - when times are hard, when going through the loss of a loved one, when under immense stress, or physically ill and or fighting health problems.
So, there are LOTS of things that a Grandparent can do, but let's think about this in reverse...What's a grandchild to do?

Put your listening ears on, grandchildren! Whether you are young or old, your grandparents are talking, and chances are, they have a lot to say and a lot to teach you. You can take time out to call your grandparents, you can write them a letter, if you live near, you can go for a visit. The older your grandparents are, the better the chance that they may need help with things around their house, errands to run, groceries to help shop for or help getting to and from doctors appointments. What can you do to be a help and encouragement to your grandparents?

Ask your grandparents questions! What was life like when they were younger? Who was their best friend? What was their favorite subject in school? What do they love about married life? When did they come to know the Lord? What church did they grow up in? How has the Lord blessed them throughout the years? There is so much to learn!!!

So, spend some time with grandparents/grandchildren and I promise you it will be time well spent!

I would love to hear about you and your relationship with your grandparents or grandchildren! What an encouragement that would be!

Blessings!





Labels:

Comments

  1. lydiaJuly 25, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    I enjoyed this post. I am blessed to have 2 1/2 sets of grandparents (divorce) still alive. I have wonderful memories of visiting my grandparents as a child and still enjoy when we are able to visit. I especially enjoy the times when we can visit my mom's father and hear stories about him growing up in West Virginia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. melliehodgesJuly 25, 2013 at 4:34 PM

      You know, I am blessed with 3 sets of grandparents on my families side and I got to know Danny's Grandma before she passed away. I love visiting with them and learning from them. Also, and I know you know what I mean, think about all of the other sets of grandparents we have through church. There are so many older couples I consider another set of Grandparents!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

High-functioning Autism; List of Symptoms ~ PT. 1

Autism is different for everyone who has been diagnosed with it. The Autism Spectrum is very wide and vast and includes so many different symptoms. It is such a neat condition that I have thoroughly enjoyed studying and watching first hand. As most of you know, my six year old Josiah has been diagnosed with HFA [high-functioning autism]. I had a really hard time with this at first, mostly because I felt like I was a bad mother for not catching onto it sooner, especially when friends and family around me came out and said they suspected something, just didn't know what to say or do. There is a lot of information I have been collecting and researching and I want to share in several different segments. Josiah is mostly affected in the area of social skills, so I would like to start there. Social Skills affected by autism:    Difficulty answering questions about themselves or things they are not interested in. Difficulty creating and maintaining friendships, especially ...
2 comments
Read more

Lord of the Flies

July has been full of nothing but rain and flash floods in our neck of the woods. This has brought out the fly swatters! I hate these suckers and they are everywhere! The kids, especially Bethany, hates them too.                                           "Die Suckers!"                                           "I got'em!"                                            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

High-functioning Autism: A List of Symptoms, Pt. 2

As with social skills, persons with autism may have varying degrees of issues in the emotional part of their lives. Here are some sensitivities and emotions experienced: Emotional Aspects or Sensitivities   May be unsettled by changes in their environment, for example objects, new people or places. Emotional upsets can pass very suddenly or can be drawn out for a long period of time. Potentially calmed by external stimulation such as familiar soothing sounds, constant pressure or brushing. Emotional incidents may affect the attitude of  an entire day. May be overwhelmed with more than one verbal direction at a time;  multi-tasking is usually not possible Loud and sudden sounds may cause distress and severe emotional outbursts. Pain tolerance may be extremely high or extremely low. Possible inappropriate touching of self with no discretion. May desire items that bring comfort when upset, such as a stuffed animal, a blanket or a favorite toy...
Post a Comment
Read more