| ign="center"> | | | | baby, and creates a sense of contentment. The |
| Becoming a first-time grandparent is exciting. An | | | | more you talk and sing to your grandchild, the |
| event many people look forward to with great | | | | quicker they will learn the sound of your voice, |
| anticipation in later life. The first snapshot that | | | | the sooner they respond with gurgles and giggles |
| reaches your anxious hands, the first time holding | | | | every time you enter the room. |
| your grandchild's tiny, sweet-smelling body in your | | | | The Joys of Reading |
| arms. The first time hearing the long awaited | | | | Toddlers and young children love to be read to. |
| words "grandma," or "grandpa" from cherub lips all | | | | Snuggling down in a chair with your grandchild, |
| will make your heart melt with pride, joy, and | | | | reading, laughing, and giggling together builds a |
| love. | | | | closer bond between you and your grandchild. It |
| Whether you live a great distance away, a few | | | | also helps the child develop listening, reasoning, and |
| towns over, or just around the block, you can | | | | language skills. |
| have a very positive impact on your grandchild's | | | | Select interesting, age-appropriate stories, ones |
| life, become an important role model, and be of | | | | with plenty of bright, colorful pictures. Choose |
| great help to your daughter or son � | | | | stories that stress good moral values, and teach |
| new in their role as a parent. | | | | life-lessons. After reading the story, ask your |
| First Things First�the New Parents | | | | grandchild questions about the story; discuss what |
| To ensure that things get off to a good start it is | | | | happened, what the character did or didn't do, and |
| important to consider the following: How much | | | | why. |
| help and advice is too much? After all, you don't | | | | Educators frequently emphasize the importance |
| want to overwhelm new parents, not yet | | | | of the first three years of a child's life. The size |
| comfortable or confident in their new role as | | | | of their brain grows 90%, new skills are learned, |
| parents. Or make it appear as though you | | | | and their unique personality blossoms. Engaging a |
| question their competence. | | | | young child in conversation encourages them to |
| To avoid possible offense, it might be best to | | | | share their thoughts and feelings. Reading to them |
| offer advice sparingly, except when specifically | | | | piques interest in literary works early in life. Both |
| asked. Once the new parents understand that | | | | facilitate good communication and socialization skills. |
| your motive is genuine, and not because you think | | | | Long-Distance Grand Parenting |
| they aren't doing a good enough job, they will | | | | Even if you live a great distance away you can |
| relax and better appreciate your unique role as | | | | still have a big impact on your grandchild's life. |
| grandparent. | | | | Precious moments visiting back and forth will feel |
| It is also a good idea not to criticize the efforts of | | | | all too short; but such visits will be precious and |
| your child in their role as parent � or the | | | | time spent together remembered with fondness. |
| efforts of their spouse. Unless the child's safety, | | | | When grandchildren do visit, lots of hugs and |
| health, or emotional well-being is at risk, at which | | | | planning a special activity together is important. A |
| time helpful suggestions instead of pointed | | | | trip to the park or playground, playing a game, |
| criticism will produce better results. Remember, | | | | sharing a banana split at an ice cream shop all |
| your goal is to help create a happy and loving | | | | offer the opportunity to talk and share; filling in |
| environment for your grandchild, not one marred | | | | the missing months or years between visits. |
| by hurt or resentment. | | | | Distant grandparents can also take advantage of |
| That aside, let's looks at the many positive ways | | | | modern technology; the Internet, fax machines, |
| you can add to the quality of your life and that of | | | | and telephones. Cell phones � especially |
| your grandchild, at the same time benefiting the | | | | those that allow the exchange of pictures |
| lives of others involved. | | | | � are great and help bridge the miles. |
| Building a Special Bond with Your Grandchild | | | | E-mailing pictures and messages over the Internet |
| As a grandparent, you have the golden | | | | is an inexpensive, convenient, and fun way to |
| opportunity to play a very important and positive | | | | maintain daily contact. Computer programs that |
| role in their life � now, and in years to | | | | allow voice messages and digital cameras for |
| come. | | | | on-the-spot photo sharing enhance exchanges and |
| If you live nearby, one way to spend quality time | | | | are the next best thing to actually being there. |
| with your grandchild is to baby sit, as time and | | | | At Savvy-Baby-Gear.com, we know that |
| health permit. This not only provides you precious | | | | grandparents have the potential to impact their |
| moments alone with your grandchild, but new | | | | grandchildren's lives in very tangible ways. They've |
| parents benefit from time off by themselves. It is | | | | also a marvelous opportunity to teach |
| healthy for parents to take a "breather" every | | | | grandchildren about family history; linking the past |
| now and then, and what better person to care | | | | with the present, giving that child a deep sense of |
| for the baby than you, the grandparent? | | | | belonging. |
| Babies love to be rocked. They also enjoy | | | | � 2006 Lori S. |
| pleasing sounds; singing softly is soothing to a | | | | |