Time Management Training for Grandparents

Spending time with your grandchildren is one of the greatest joys you'll ever know, but when you're feeling like your life is chaotic and stressful it can be hard to enjoy grandparent time. There are ways that you can reorganize your life so that you can best experience the enjoyment of grandparenthood. First you have to be willing to understand your role better as a Grandparent as opposed to a being a parent.

Being a grandparent is about connecting with your grandchild on an entirely different level than that of a parent. Parents are disciplinarians, while grandparents can be friends to children. This isn't to say that you give a beer to your grandchild; no, this means though that you can jump in mud puddles, play hopscotch, and teach your grandchild the history of their ancestry without worrying about the responsibilities of parenthood. How do you switch roles and let go of the disciplinarian?

Schedule your time – Scheduled time with your grandchildren one-on-one, and if possible, all at once is the best way to enjoy them. This, of course, depends on how prolific your children are at presenting you with grandchildren. Special grandparent time apart from siblings helps each grandchild feel special. Also, time together with cousins also makes it fun for them. Make sure the time is void of any interruptions from work, house cleaning, or any other daily grind type events. Clear everything off your calendar so that you can let this time be only with your grandchild(ren) doing something special together. It could also be just observing their play and curiosity. Sometimes they just want to play by themselves, knowing that you are watching and enjoying their interaction.

Let go -- Don't worry about so many rules. This is not to say that your grandchildren should run amuck in your home, but it does mean that you aren’t telling them to "sit up straight" and "eat their veggies" as you may have with your own children. You want this time with you to be free of these issues. If you make a real plan for the day, you likely won't have any of these issues anyway. Overlook these things because that's what parents are for!

Make work fun -- If your grandchildren are spending a good deal of time with you, make chores such as making the bed in the morning fun by acting silly, turning on some music, and being as stress free as possible. They'll learn that work is fun, and doesn't have to be so serious all the time, and they'll help you too.

Don't judge -- If your grandchild comes over with a nose ring, or funny colored hair, or worse, pants on the ground, try to ignore it. These issues are parenting issues. You might be surprised that by simply being understanding and nonjudgmental about their attire they will try to be less shocking the more time you spend with them.

Scheduling your time so that your time with your grandchildren is void of anything not directly related to your grand children will increase the wonderful time you have with your grandchildren. You don't have to do this often to have a huge impact on their lives. You are your grandchild's connection to the past; it is a relationship that makes humans feel understood, known, safe, and loved.