Grandparents are a gift. They’ve learned a lot, through experience, about raising children. Dealing with a picky eater? Sleep issues? Temper tantrums? Ask a grandparent, and they likely have some simple solutions. Need advice? They have plenty to offer. We asked local grandparents for their best advice to share with the next generation of young parents.
Norm and Kim Wymer
Perrysburg grandparents to five grandchildren
- Create shared memories and family traditions. Besides the everyday memories we make, we also take family vacations together every year. A new tradition that we have started: when a grandchild turns ten years old, we take them on a vacation. It gives us special time with our grandchild, we have great conversations and make wonderful memories with them.
- Be consistent in disciplining. Be on the same page regarding the consequences of unacceptable behavior.
- Love each other as Christ loves us. Divorce should never be an option. Work out your problems and see a pastor or counselor if needed.
- Live near your grandchildren. We feel very blessed that all of our grandchil- dren are within fifteen minutes of us. We are available to watch them when needed and we can attend their school and sporting events.
Andy and Sue Nieman
Lambertville grandparents to eleven grandchildren
- Family is important! Let your kids know who their aunts, uncles and cousins are. And remember, grandparents are an important part of your kids’ lives.
- Time goes by so fast, so stop and enjoy the time you have with your family. Always hug, kiss and say ‘I love you’ to your spouse, kids parents and family.
- As your kids grow, remember to keep communication open. Listen without interruption, stay calm and always remember that you love them and they love you. Pray before answering.
- Make sure to show your children how important they are.
- Take time for you and your husband.
- Don’t take everything on yourselves, but give it to the Lord.
- Lead by example.
- Know when to discipline. Know what’s important and what could hurt them. Is it something that doesn’t need your attention? You will go crazy if you do not let some things go.
- Love God and put God first. Take time every day to pray for and with your kids.
Rudy and Jennifer Ondrus
Lambertville grandparents to four grandchildren
- Our best advice for new parents is to relax and enjoy the journey. The family that plays together stays together.
- Time goes by so fast with your children, but it seems to move faster, at hyper speed, with your grandchildren.
Frank and Diane Paine
Temperance grandparents to four grandchildren
- Each child is unique. When a baby arrives, a stranger moves into your home. Parenting is more about discovering and bringing out what is special about this child.
- The two most important things we can give our children are roots and wings. The first comes naturally, the second takes some courage for the parents and encouragement for the child.
- Children will always learn more from what we do than what we say. Integrity is important. If your words and actions toward others match, children will follow your example.
- Read to and with your child as much as possible. In our humble opinion, this is a key to growing creative, intelligent, well-rounded children. There is so much competition with screens of various types, and they will need to learn to master them. But try to be counter-cultural on this point. Read books together!
- Take pictures regularly. They become more and more precious as the years move on. And don’t forget to catalog them so you remember in future years when and where they were taken.
- Pray for your children, regularly and fervently. Remember they are also children of God and need to learn to pray and know you are praying for them.
- Make sure they learn to respect others’ faith as well, even as it may signifi-
cantly differ from their own. - There are no perfect parents. You will make mistakes. The old adage ‘Love
covers a multitude of sins’ applies to parents as well. When what we do, even
imperfectly, is motivated and shaped by love, mistakes can be redeemed into
important life lessons for parent and child.
