Grand-parenting Your Grandchildren - By Carol DeMar
Raising a child is, of course, the responsibility of the parents; however, grandparents can play an important role in a child's life. As a grandparent myself, I pray that I can have a meaningful and valuable impact on my grandchildren's lives.
Some grandparents choose not to become involved with their grandchildren due to their busy schedules, or because they live far away, or because they really don't wish to be bothered. Grandparents should be an essential part of a child's life. Paul realized the influence that family members had on the young apostle Timothy when he wrote: For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well (2 Timothy 1:5).
What a blessing it is to be involved in our grandson's life. Both sets of grandparents get to spend a lot of time with Calvin, since we all live nearby. He is a joy at ten-months of age, and I am thankful that his parents "permit' us to be regularly involved with him.
My paternal grandparents lived in the same small town in which I was raised. They were an integral part of my growing up years. Grandma was an excellent cook and baker and, after school, I would stop in and taste whatever had just come out of the oven. She knew how much I loved cookie dough and always saved a pinch or two for me. Whenever I smell warm fresh baked bread, I think of my grandmother.
Just the thought of a slice of her bread spread with real butter makes my mouth water. Then there were her cinnamon rolls that I have tried to duplicate but don't come close to her perfection. My cousins and I took turns staying at my grandparents' summer cottage. What a treat it was to wade in the creek out back and attempt to catch crawdads in an old can, or play under the giant weeping willow tree in the front yard, or make a fort in the woods out of fallen tree branches, or catch fireflies in jars at night. We looked forward to dinner time when our grandfather would join us and make us giggle with his humor. These were such simple activities but ones that made wonderful, lasting memories.
Being a grandparent doesn't require spending much money. All it really requires is a little time and the desire to develop a warm and loving relationship with grandchildren. I didn't get to see my mother's parents very often for they lived far away, but I have a lasting memory of my Grandmother Partridge that made quite an impact on my life until this day. She always traveled to see us with her flannel board. I learned a great deal about the Bible as I sat at her feet listening to her marvelous voice recount the stories of the Old and New Testament.
As parents, I hope you encourage the grandparents of your children to develop a close relationship with them. Their lives will be richer and fuller, and the positive impact on their lives cannot be measured.
By Carol DeMar. Visit her website at:[http://www.familyraising.com] Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_DeMar Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2620238
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