Amy Kelly - What Can Grandchildren Learn From Their Grandparents

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Grandchildren learn all manner of things from their grandparents, from hobbies to sports, and an enterprising grandparent can ensure that they pass on knowledge that will help the child in the future. Teenagers, specifically, are going through a tough time while dealing with their hormones, and having grandparents who are around to help them through this time can be extremely beneficial for both them and for their parents.

Relationship with Parents

One of the most interesting aspects of the grandchild-grandparent relationship is that they both have a connection with the “parents” in the equation. While the grandparents have already gone through the more difficult time in their relationship with their child, the grandchild in question is navigating the same now. This is why grandparents can be extremely helpful in ensuring parents and children communicate, and teach their grandchildren how to manage their relationship with their parents by letting them both communicate their side of things but also by helping them understand their parent’s perspective on various issues.

Encourage both your child and your grandchild to talk to you about their relationship so you can develop a balanced view of the issues they are facing as this will help you give the best advice.

However, always keep in mind your placement in the relationship and don’t over step your bounds. As a grandparent, remember that you walk a fine line. Supporting your child’s wishes for their children should always be kept at the forefront of your mind and do what you can to create and encourage positive family dynamics.

Navigating Through Difficult Friendships

Teens are already going through a difficult time, when emotions are heightened and everything seems ten times worse than it is, and adding another teen to the mix can be disastrous. However, that is how social structures work, and being able to help your teenaged grandchild manage their relationships with their friends is as important as their relationship with their parents. Adolescents rely heavily on each other during their formative years, and you can serve as an impartial source that can help them understand which friends they can trust and which they cannot.

Make the effort to meet their friends in social settings so you can develop personal views of their peers. Don’t tell your grandchild which person they should or should not be friends with, but instead help them reach the conclusion themselves by discussing the various aspects of their relationships with their different friends.

Family History

This might seem very basic, but many grandparents don’t realize that the teenage years are extremely important where building an identity is concerned which is why helping your grandchild learn more about where they come from and who their family is could be a wonderful way to teach them about their background as well as the values that their family believes in.

Encourage them to learn more by pointing them in the direction of a local library where they can discover when and how their ancestors moved to the area and pique their interest by providing them with pictures and mementos.

Grandparents play a very important role in shaping a child’s identity and it is important that they focus on more than the material things they can teach their grandchild but instead focus on deeper aspects of their lives, like values and beliefs as well as the relationships they develop with their parents and peers.
 

Published 26th Jul 2011

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