We cover topics that matter to grandparents - and parents - such as concrete ways to help new parents, understanding new trends in child care, and meaningful ways to connect the generations. The resources and products we offer foster open communication, encourage healthy boundaries, and equip new grandparents with the tools they need to become a supportive partner to their grandchild's parents. Sign up for our newsletter to find out why grandparenting isn't about spoiling the grandkids anymore. Parents welcome!
How to meet your grandchildren's needs
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Hello, Reader! One day when I was visiting my son and his family recently, my grandson had a dentist appointment right after lunch. While my daughter-in-law took him, I stayed home with my granddaughters. The girls were happily playing outside when my daughter-in-law left, but she asked me to call them in after about twenty minutes so they could have some quiet time apart from one another. “They don’t know they need it, but if they don’t get a break in the middle of the day, they’ll start fighting by 3:00.” You can probably guess what happened. When I called out the door that it was time to come in, they refused. They insisted they didn’t need quiet time. I reminded them Mama said they did. They asked if they could have quiet time outside, together. Now, as a parent, I likely would have started yelling at this point and insisting that they do what I say. But that’s not how I want to show up as a grandparent, and I’ve learned a lot from today’s parenting philosophies. I tried another tack. I went outside and sat down by where they were playing. I told them I knew they were having fun, but that it was time to take a break. I listened to them as they explained that they needed to stay outside to take care of the moth they’d rescued. Together, we came up with a solution: they could bring the moth inside and take turns taking care of it in their rooms. They went from defiance to cooperation in under five minutes with no tears, no shouting, and no threats. Today’s parents are raising their children with different approaches than we did. When we take the time to learn about them, it can change our relationships. Parents feel more supported. Our grandchildren feel safer. And honestly, I feel calmer and more involved when I have the same tools parents do. What I experienced that day illustrates something that today's parenting experts have discovered: children have two essential needs that must be met daily. The need for attention and the need for some control over their world. When these needs aren't met in positive ways, children will find ways to get them met—through whining, tantrums, defiance, or sibling fights. In their minds, negative attention is better than no attention at all. Many grandparents (myself included!) grew up with the "because I said so" approach to discipline. But when we take the time to understand what's behind a child's behavior, we can respond more effectively—just like I did with my granddaughters and their rescued moth. If you find yourself struggling when you are with your grandchildren—feeling like they are constantly challenging you or their parents—I have something that could be a game-changer. My friends at Positive Parenting Solutions are offering a free webinar that's already helped thousands of parents (and grandparents!) understand how to meet children's needs in positive ways. The strategies they teach have transformed how I interact with my grandchildren, and they could do the same for you. In this exclusive training, you'll discover:
The best part? You can stop feeling frustrated and start enjoying your time with your grandchildren more fully. Just pick the webinar time that works best for you, and learn how to connect with your grandchildren in ways that make everyone feel better.
The webinar is completely free! However, I'm an affiliate partner with Positive Parenting Solutions, which means I may receive a commission if you sign up for any of their paid resources. I only recommend resources I genuinely believe will help you in your grandparenting journey. Taking the time to learn new approaches has made our time together as a family so much more enjoyable! And I know my son and daughter-in-law appreciate that I am actively working to support their parenting choices. Warm regards, Know someone who might enjoy this information? Forward this email to them! DeeDee Moore | Founder, More Than Grand LLC | morethangrand.com |
Calling all new grandparents! (and parents, too!)
We cover topics that matter to grandparents - and parents - such as concrete ways to help new parents, understanding new trends in child care, and meaningful ways to connect the generations. The resources and products we offer foster open communication, encourage healthy boundaries, and equip new grandparents with the tools they need to become a supportive partner to their grandchild's parents. Sign up for our newsletter to find out why grandparenting isn't about spoiling the grandkids anymore. Parents welcome!
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