The Intentional Grandparenting Plan
Guest blogger and coauthor of Faithful Grandparenting, Carol Olsen, is passionate about grandparents speaking into the lives of their grandchildren. Watch for more ideas from Carol!
Becoming intentional in your grandparenting takes planning. In our grandparent classes and in Faithful Grandparenting: Practical Ideas for Connecting the Generations, we encourage making a PLAN… an intentional grandparenting plan. Even if the plans change, and plans typically do change, the relationship building efforts are rolling!
A wise and thoughtful grandfather once said, “You have to make the plan and so you can change the plan.” Without a plan the years fly by and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of loved ones are lost.
Grandparents agree, grandchildren seem to grow up twice as fast as your own children. The hope is to avoid missed chances to build lasting relationships, shared experiences, and teaching Christian values. However, it’s never too late to get started.
Start the plan by thinking about your grandchild or the child with whom you wish to build a relationship. It could be a niece or nephew, a child at church or a youth in your neighborhood. Make a page for each child. You’ll find yourself editing the plan as the years go by but often referring to the details on the page. Use a pencil so changes can easily be made. File the pages in a folder or a three-ring binder.
Include pertinent information about the child such as the child’s full name and important dates such as the date of baptism, confirmation, and graduation. It’s helpful to have clothing and shoes sizes too. What are the kid’s favorite foods, activities, games, heroes, and special talents? Does the child have special needs to consider?
Then start to plan. What birthday will be special and how will it be different? Will you take a “Grandcation”? What are your plans for the holidays? How about special gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and graduation?
Are you planning on writing a Legacy Letter? What lessons can you teach to build moral character and faith? What family traditions are important and why?
There’s a lot to think about! Instead of reinventing the wheel, download the Faithful Grandparenting Planning Page. Just print the pages back-to-back, making a copy for each child. Spend time praying and planning to build a relationship that will last a lifetime!
If you haven’t purchased a copy of Faithful Grandparenting: Practical Ideas for Connecting the Generations, click HERE to order.
© 2022 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash