Parenting Thought

Six Ways Grandparents Can Be Special in Children’s Lives

(and aunts, uncles, special family friends, neighbors, stepparents, and caretakers as well)

1. Expect them to grow up; encourage them by teaching them how to do more things for themselves.

2. Let them see how interested in them you are. Give them your uninterrupted time.

3. Laugh with them when they find you funny because you do things an old-fashioned way or use words they don’t hear in other places (whipper-snapper, davenport, picture show, pocket book, thingamagig, catawampus, or cattycornered).

4. Tell family stories and go ahead and embellish them to make them good for a laugh.

5. Talk to them. Show them that you find everything they say to be interesting.

6. Let them ask you lots of questions – even ones they might have asked you just a few minutes ago.

    (See “Why Grandparents Are Important” for more about grandparents.)

Autumn’s Picture Books

We have been amazed at how much good parenting information is in children’s picture books – books that we hope you are reading everyday to the children in your lives – your own, your class, those you take care of.  For each book, we are noting there is something in it to remind you of how to be the parent you want to be.

• BECAUSE I’M YOUR DAD by Amet Zappa

A reminder that Dad’s are important with many ideas about how to play with and just be with your child

• LET’S GO, HUGO! by Angela Dominguez

A reminder that fear can be overcome and that being a trusted friend is helpful when your child is afraid

• NURSE CLEMENTINE by Simon James

A reminder that holiday gifts should show that you know your child really well and that if what your child wants is safe and affordable, it is a good gift – no matter how small or how unusual

• SUKI & MIRABELLA by Carmela and Steven D’Amico

A reminder of the dangers of overindulgence and out-of-control competition.

Read All About It:

“Why Grandparents Are Important”

SELF-ESTEEM A FAMILY AFFAIR, Jean Illsley Clarke

GROWING UP AGAIN: PARENTING OURSELVES, PARENTING OUR CHILDREN, Jean Illsley Clarke and Connie Dawson

Surf the Internet:

self-esteem

grandparents

grandparenting

unconditional love