The Don't Sweat Guide for Grandparents Making the Most of Your Time WithYour Grandchildr en

by Carlson, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780786887194
• ISBN10: 0786887192
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-17
• Publisher: Balance
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Being a grandparent isn't what it used to be: today's adult children and grandchildren are living more rushed, full-to-the-brim lives, and it's often difficult for grandparents to figure out how to fit into such hectic schedules. In addition, many grandparents help out with child care, and may have mixed feelings about it, or simply need some advice on today's kids.

Table of Contents

Foreword	11	(4)
Understand That You're a New Person	15	(3)
Remember That You're Their Grandparents	18	(2)
Get Yourself in Balance	20	(2)
Develop the Family ``Team''	22	(3)
Start (and End) Each Visit with a Clean Slate	25	(2)
Make Peace with the Mess	27	(3)
Remember the Things You Weren't Allowed to Do	30	(3)
You Don't Always Have to Do Disney World	33	(2)
Remember the Three Things That Grandchildren Want and Need: Attention, and Attention	35	(2)
Learn the Fine Art of Saying No	37	(2)
Refine the Art of Saying Yes	39	(2)
Accept That No Two Are Alike	41	(2)
Every Child Is an Artist	43	(2)
Let Them Talk	45	(2)
Introduce Them to Gratitude	47	(2)
You're Not a Mind-Reader, So Ask Questions	49	(2)
Expand Your Expectations	51	(2)
Believe (and Make Believe) Again	53	(2)
Remember That It Matters Not	55	(2)
Watch What a Smile Can Do	57	(2)
Take a Nap When They Do	59	(2)
Watch a Sunset Together	61	(2)
Surprise Them with Cards or Letters, Even if They Live in the Same Town	63	(2)
Introduce Them to Your Friends	65	(2)
Don't Complain or List Your Troubles	67	(2)
Give Them Your ``Seal of Approval''	69	(2)
Show---Don't Just Tell---Your Grandchildren That You Love Them	71	(2)
Remember What It's Like to Be Small	73	(2)
Teach Your Grandchildren About Someone Special Every Day	75	(2)
Don't Take Their Words Personally	77	(2)
Remember That You're Being Watched	79	(2)
Fire Them Up!	81	(2)
Tell---Don't Show---That You're Upset	83	(2)
Create a Bond to Span the Miles	85	(2)
Embrace Spontaneity	87	(2)
Be Open to Learning from Your Grandchildren	89	(2)
Brag About Them	91	(2)
Learn to Recognize When They're Bored	93	(2)
Make a Scrapbook or Journal Together	95	(2)
Don't Worry About What Might Happen	97	(2)
Remember What You Loved About Your Grandparents	99	(2)
Special Events Are Just That: Special	101	(2)
Sometimes, Pretend They're Not Related to You	103	(2)
Don't Always Make Them Color Inside the Lines	105	(2)
If You Talk, They Will Listen---but Do It at Bedtime	107	(2)
Share Their World	109	(2)
Remember That You Have Something in Common---Their Parents	111	(2)
Your Grandchildren Are Not Just Like Your Children	113	(3)
Take Care of Their Minds	116	(2)
Take Care of Their Bodies	118	(2)
Learn to Lose Your Hearing on Occasion	120	(2)
Turn the TV Off	122	(2)
The Answer to ``Why?'' Is Not ``Because''	124	(2)
Get to Know Your Neighbor's Kids	126	(2)
Explain Yourself---Often	128	(2)
Create a Passion for Giving	130	(2)
Take a Walk	132	(2)
Play to Your Grandchildren's Strengths and Accept Their Weaknesses	134	(2)
Put Away Your Watch	136	(2)
Be Aware of Your Mood Hints	138	(3)
Embrace the ``Full Catastrophe''	141	(2)
Remember That Tears Aren't Always Bad	143	(3)
Learn to Screen the ``I Want's''	146	(3)
Learn to ``Chill Out''	149	(2)
Take Care of Their Spirits	151	(2)
Cultivate Understanding---Yours and Theirs	153	(2)
Say What You Mean, and Mean What You Say	155	(2)
Teach Them to Truly Care About Others	157	(2)
Pass Along Your Values by Example	159	(2)
Teach Them About Tradition	161	(2)
Spend Time Alone with Your Grandchildren	163	(2)
Practice Participating by Watching	165	(2)
Learn to Be Open-Minded in a Changing World	167	(2)
Work to Narrow the Generation Gap	169	(2)
Set the Boundaries in Your Home (but Be Flexible, Too)	171	(2)
Be a Mentor to Your Grandchildren	173	(2)
Appreciate the Whole Family	175	(2)
Age Is an Attitude	177	(2)
Love the Little Things---There Are So Many	179	(2)
When the Going Gets Tough, Remember That Love Is the Glue	181	(2)
Speak Up When It Becomes Too Much	183	(2)
Let Your Grandchildren Help You	185	(2)
Remember That All Grandchildren Are Created Equal	187	(2)
Agree to Agree (or Disagree) About Discipline and Other Matters	189	(2)
Express Your Feelings	191	(2)
Give Them Space---Near You and Away from You	193	(2)
Be a Storyteller	195	(2)
Value Your Own Wisdom	197	(2)
Realize Your Significance and Take Your Role Seriously	199	(2)
Take Care of Yourself	201	(2)
Make Music Together	203	(2)
Be a Cheerleader	205	(2)
Ask for Your Grandchildren's Opinions	207	(2)
Roll with the Punches	209	(2)
Expect to Make Mistakes	211	(2)
Listen to Your Children and Respect Their Rights	213	(2)
Ground Your Teenage Grandchildren	215	(3)
Remember What You Learned from Being a Parent	218	(2)
``Forgive and Forget'' Is More Important Than Ever	220	(2)
Remember That They Will Always Remember You	222