“One of the joys of being a grandparent is getting to see the world again through the eyes of a child.” (David Suzuki)
Our daughter, Allena, was two when we moved
into our tri-level split home on Mistletoe Court in Gahanna, OH in Mid-August
of 1998. As far as Bobbi and I can remember, there has never been a baby living
in this home. The thought of one day possibly having a grandchild in our home both
excites and terrifies me all at one. Only God knows when (and if) Allena will want to be a
mother one day (in the future). Questions go through go through my
head like: “Will I be the right kind of grandfather?” “Will that child get my
worst character qualities (as well as my talents)?”Will we love each other
unconditionally?”
One thing I do know about babies is they need
to sleep a certain way. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the
following:
· Placing your baby on their back on a firm surface
such as in a crib
· Having your baby sleep in the same room with you,
but on a separate surface for the first 6–12 months of life
· Making sure there are no blankets, pillows, toys, or
other items in your baby’s sleeping area
· Offering a pacifier without any strings to them, at
naptime and bedtime
As an older adult, I recall what an important
role both my maternal grandparents (Bob and Erma Eagle) and my paternal
grandparents (Clarence and Stella Kinker)
had in my life, and development of the person I am today. Grandparents
are important because they provide:
Adventure: Grandparents can
open worlds of exploration to their grandchildren when they listen to their
interests. Grandparents can use their lifetime of experiences and knowledge to
new places or interests of the grandchildren. Grandparents make great
volunteers especially when serving with grandchildren to help a ministry their
passionate about. They can always make time to serve their grandchildren.
Connection: Grandchildren may
want help sorting out big issues in their lives. Issues may change, but God’s
love and
truth do not. Grandparent’s lives can become an example for their grandchildren
about how God provides. A grandparent’s past can show how God works in social
interactions with others to refine them into wise and resilient Christian
followers.
Perspective: Grandparents can
provide valuable insights. They can start conversations by sharing a little about
their pasts — what their childhoods and teenage years were like, how they met
their spouses, and what they’ve dreamed about doing.
Grandparents can also
model values. They may need to seek counsel from those who are younger to help
us better understand the issues their grandchildren are facing. So seek out
those who work with young people. Ask them how you can be involved.
Stability: Grandchildren need
stability in the middle of societal turbulence. Someone to stand with them and
beside them as family traditions and history promote stability. Grandparents can impart this
information to help grandchildren feel they belong.
Unconditional love: Grandchildren
experience unconditional love when grandparents love them for who they are not
for who someone wants them to be. Grandparents can coach and teach them by
loaning them their wisdom so they have the opportunity to make good choices.
“The most amazing thing about getting to be a grandparent is that the
very kids you made so many mistakes on (may have-could have damaged
irreparably) grow up and honor you by trusting with their babies. Could there
be a greater grace?” (Jeanie Rhoades) [i]
[i] Adapted from:
· “5 REASONS WHY GRANDPARENTS ARE
IMPORTANT” BY BRUCE GORDON
· “What
is a Safe Sleep Environment” by the American Academy of Pediatrics
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| Allena at two and a half |
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