You've raised your kids, and now you get to enjoy the grandparent years. Being a grandparent can bring great joy, but you might face challenges along the way. Being aware of the potential difficulties that grandparents face can help you prepare for them.
Living in another town, state or even country can be very challenging when you're a grandparent. You likely won't get to see your grandchildren as much as you want. It's also likely that you'll miss out on birthdays, holidays and everyday things like dance recitals and sporting events. The distance can be even more difficult if your friends live near their grandchildren and get to see them all the time.
Physical distance isn't something you can just overcome. However, you can find ways to connect meaningfully with your grandkids. Plan trips to visit them when you can, or offer to host them for a few weeks in the summer. Video chatting can help you feel connected because you can see them when you talk to them. You can also send care packages regularly with little gifts or activities for your grandchildren.
Even if you live in the same city, you might not see your grandchildren as often as you want. This could be due to busy schedules or a disconnect between you and your adult children. As your grandkids get older, they might not want to spend as much time with family. Knowing that your grandchildren are close but you're not seeing them often can be emotionally challenging.
Instead of thinking about the time you're not getting with your grandchildren, focus on being present when you see them. If your grandchildren are busy, ask for a schedule of their activities so you can go to see them. You might schedule times for them to come visit you. It's easy to get caught up with normal activities, so scheduling visits ensures you get time together.
As you get older, you might face health conditions or have limited mobility. This can make it more difficult to keep up with your grandchildren. If you're sick frequently or have to spend time in the hospital, you could miss out on important moments with your family. You might not feel well enough to participate in family activities or visit. When your mobility is limited, it can be challenging to play with your younger grandchildren.
Finding ways to work around those limitations can ensure you still make memories with your grandkids. If you can't get down on the floor to play with your grandkids, plan a fun craft activity that you can do together.
It's common to have different opinions on parenting issues like discipline, safety and feeding young kids. Your adult children will likely do things differently than you did when you raised them. Their partner comes from a different upbringing, which could also influence how they raise their children. It can be difficult to watch your adult children parent differently than you do. It can be tempting to step in, criticize them or give them advice on parenting. However, this often causes conflict and could put distance between you.
Keep in mind that everyone is different and many parent styles can be successful. It's best to step back and respect the parenting methods your adult children have chosen to use. It might not be the way you'd do things, but respecting their decisions can help you maintain a peaceful, positive relationship.
If you think back to your parenting days, you'll likely remember lots of difficult stages, from the turbulent toddler years to the moody teen years. Your grandchildren go through those same stages. If you spend a lot of time with them or even babysit sometimes, you might have difficulty dealing with those behaviors. You might not know how to calm a toddler's temper tantrums, or you might struggle to connect with a teen who's distant. It can also be difficult watching your adult child deal with those challenging parenting stages.
Keep in mind that those stages are temporary. Provide support to your adult child as much as possible. If you provide care for your grandchild, ask for suggestions from their parents on how to deal with those issues. Try to focus on the positive things and happy times together instead of dwelling on the negative behaviors. Working to understand your grandchildren, especially as they get older, can also help.
Family conflict can affect your relationships with your grandchildren and adult children. If you're divorced, you might struggle to split time with your grandchildren, especially if you don't get along with your ex-spouse. If your adult child goes through a divorce, you might have to help them go through the difficult process. Family conflicts can also cause tension and make bonding more difficult.
Keep the needs of your grandchildren as the priority. If you're dealing with a divorce situation, be accepting of the shared time. Putting your differences aside when you have a large family event, such as a grandchild's birthday, allows you to make memories without causing more conflict. If your adult child is going through a divorce, find ways to support them emotionally to make the situation easier.
