‘A child needs a grandfather, anyone’s grandfather, to grow up a little more secure in an unknown world.’ Charles and Ann Morse.
60% of grandparents in the UK provide some form of childcare for their grandchildren. If you are involved in child care on a regular basis, our goal is to help you not only survive the experience, but also enjoy the privilege.
1. Get organized.
If you know you are having children, plan the day. Look at the weather forecast and decide if the activities should be indoors or outdoors. I know weather forecasters aren’t always right, but it’s usually pretty accurate the night before. Try to balance the day well with a relaxed game time at home and an outing to add variety. Roughly plan the time of day in your own mind, but don’t worry if things don’t go exactly as planned! Be flexible and have some additional ideas in case you’re desperate. If you are two, the activities can be shared. E.g. Playing with grandma, gardening with grandpa, going to the park with grandma and grandpa.
2. Activities at home.
Games and puzzles. This is a great activity for grandparents to do with the kids. It costs little to no money, it doesn’t make a mess, and most kids love to have you spend time playing with them. Often busy parents just don’t have time to play endless games. Ask the parents to look through the children’s toys and bring you all the games and puzzles. Alternatively, a visit to the local charity shop or car boot sale will usually net you a few different games without breaking the bank. Announce that today is ‘Game Morning’ and include some action games like ‘Thimble Hunt’, Hokey Pokey or backyard ball games, as well as board or card games.
Paint and Adhesive.
Children love these activities. Grandparents often don’t because they can be messy. Preparation is key. Decide what the activity is going to be, make sure you have everything you need, protect your furniture and the children’s clothes, and go ahead! Stay with them and praise their efforts, and at the first sign of boredom, end the activity. Glue sticks have made gluing much less of a hassle, and making a scrapbook or collage can often be very enjoyable and hold interest for quite some time. Keep an old catalog of children’s toys, great for cutting and pasting.
Homework.
Children often like to help with household chores. Things like sorting clothes, making the bed, gardening, and cooking may be appropriate. It might take you a little longer to complete the jobs, but at least you do them eventually and they learn valuable skills and have fun at the same time.
Televisions, DVDs and CDs.
Most of us have resorted to these activities on occasion. They are great for giving a few minutes of peace and quiet, a chance to take a look at the newspaper or relax. If you have Sky or Cable there is a great selection of children’s programmes. C Beebies and Nick Junior are my personal favorites (but obviously this depends on the age of the child). The secret is to be selective and limit the amount of TV, so that it is part of a well-planned day and not the main focus of the day.
Computer games.
As above, excellent in moderation. Once in a while have a half hour session on the computer. Most children’s television shows also have websites, many of which are educational and fun, and also teach mouse control and other computer skills, essential for children growing up in today’s society.
3. Exit.
If possible, get out part of each day. It’s a change of scenery for them and relieves boredom for you. (There are so many puzzles you can do) http://www.netmums.co.uk is a great website for suggesting places to go with children. If you have young children on the same day every week, join a local group of young children. You will be surprised how many other grandparents frequent these activities nowadays and it is good for you to have a chat and the children to meet other children of a similar age. Plus, mixing with young moms keeps you young, so that can’t be a bad thing. Netmums lists many different local groups covering all ages and interests, so there’s bound to be something to suit.
local parks.
These are great for dry weather and free. Again, Netmums will give you a list of local parks, some with feedback from other Netmums users. Why not try a different one every week? Children will soon tell you which they prefer. Grab a ball and a picnic/drink and you’ve got a few hours of free entertainment.
Indoor play areas.
These are everywhere nowadays and are good for bad weather. They usually consist of soft play areas, ball pits, and sometimes organized games or craft sessions. They cost between £3.50 and £5.00 per child depending on what time you go. In busy periods, eg. Saturdays can be a bit scary for very young children with so many older children running around, but if you choose wisely and go at a quieter time, they can be a lot of fun. Trial and error will probably find the best fit for your own grandkids, but be ready to go rescue them if they get stuck!
4.Behavior.
Gran and Granddad’s rules may be slightly different than at home. For example, mom and dad may allow painting in the living room because they have an easy-to-clean floor. You may have a cream-colored carpet and do not want to paint in the living room. Make sure children know the limits. If they say ‘Mom is leaving us’, just say ‘She’s fine, but Grandma doesn’t want you to do it at her house’. Before you go out on a hike, clearly state the behavior you expect and be generous with your praise when they behave well. Reward good behavior with stickers, hugs, and most importantly let their parents know when they return.