Grandparents Day 2022
Grandparents Day is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. In 2022, the holiday is on September 11. If you are a grandparent, you are old enough to realize that you don’t require a set or specific day to relish and enjoy the privilege of being a grandparent. A nanna, granny, grammie, pappa, grampie, or whatever title has been bestowed upon you. But the day is on the calendar, so let’s spend a few minutes talking about some of the things you can do to be more connected to your grandchildren…
- despite the geographical distances so many grandparents are challenged with
- despite the kids’ busy schedules
- despite limited contact with them (because of custody issues or family dysfunction)
- because you don’t believe you can connect with them.
Did any of those resonate with you? I’m sure at least one of them did. If not, you are fortunate. Very fortunate. For the rest of us, though, let’s continue by looking at a few ways we can make every day grandparents day (or almost every day).
- Write to your grandkids. On real paper or cards. Using an actual envelope and stamp to send it. Who doesn’t like to get mail? No one, that’s who! You need to be sure you print instead of using cursive, though, because a lot of children cannot read cursive.
- Call your grandkids at least twice a month just to say hi, and then ask them to tell you about themselves—their school highs and lows, their friends, about their activities, and life in general. Once in a while, throw in a few things about yourself. And you can be sure they will enjoy hearing you tell them a few things about yourself when you were their age.Share some of your stuff with them. If you have a preteen or teenage granddaughter, there is a very good chance they will covet any costume jewelry, scarves, and even clothes left over from the sixties and seventies.
- Go to their activities and cheer them on (or whatever is appropriate).
- If you live close enough, invite your grandkids over for breakfast, pizza and a movie, or game night once a month. No parents allowed.
I could go on and on, but you get the point—to be intentionally and consistently involved in their lives. To make yourself available, to be a safe place to ‘land’, to be loving, genuine, and be sincerely interested in who your grandkids are—that’s what makes being a grandparent so grand—for you and for them.
Guest post By Darla Noble
The views expressed by the author may not reflect the views of Age Safe America, LLC. The content here should not be taken as medical, legal or financial advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your own healthcare, legal or financial professional with any questions