Seven action points for effective grandparenting
Don Schmitz & Grandkidsandme

1. The roots of grandparenting are formed early on  
Let your children know you want to be supportive to their family. Make up your mind to be a better grandparent that you were as a parent. It’s never too late to change.
2. Ask questions of your children
Talk with your children about how they see you becoming involved with their children. Let them know what your intentions are. Be involved in the planning and do your fair share of the work. Talk to your grandchildren about what they would like to do with you.
3. Spend quality time together
Take time to do these activities one on one as much as possible. Kids need a break once in a while from their parents. Remember children behave differently when their parents aren’t around.
4. Keep communication open
If you can’t be physically present, be there in other ways. Examples might be emails, letters, phone calls, gift giving, video and pictures, and activity books.
5. Plan ahead
Any activity between families takes coordination. Don’t wait for the kids to come to you.
6. Share who you are
Tell stories of your past. Let your grandchild know how human you are.  Share your happiness, sadness, fears, embarrassments and mistakes. Talk about your religion, lessons you’ve learned in life, their parents and the fun you had raising them.
7. Love your children and grandchildren unconditionally
When you are together with the parents, say only good things about your time together.

Our grandchildren will have faults; look where they came from, but love them with no conditions... this is the greatest gift we can bestow on your grandchildren.

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com