As a grandparent, your role can be especially important in the lives of not only your newborn grandchild and their parents, but also the other children in the family.
There will be times of frustration for the new parents, such as when the baby is crying a lot and is difficult to console. Provide support and encouragement for the parents—and give them a breather, if possible, by taking the baby out for a stroll.
Below are more ideas for ways you can help.
Give the new big brother or new big sister attention
Make sure you pay plenty of attention to the
older sibling(s), who might feel a little neglected with all the attention showered on the baby. You can serve as a "pinch hitter" when the new parents are adjusting to their new infant by planning some special activities just for you and the baby's older brother(s) or sister(s).
For example, you can make time for older siblings with:
Trips to the store or movie theater
Reading age-appropriate books with them or listening to music
Taking them to play outside at a park or playground
Sleepovers at Grandma or Grandpa's house
Help your daughter or son adjust
You can play other important roles to help your daughter or son adjust to the new addition to their family. Help them with cleaning, shopping and other errands.
Share your wisdom
At the same time, without being overly intrusive, pass along some of your own wisdom and reassurances about baby care.
You can explain new-baby basics such as:
Remember
The insights and assistance of both grandfathers and grandmothers can have a calming and "life-saving" effect on new parents.
More information