In 2024, I was blessed with two grandsons. Danny born in January and Jack born in March. Some of you may already have grandchildren, while others may be looking forward to that joy in the future. Spending time with grandchildren has been incredibly rewarding. Here are five things I learned from the most recent visit of my grandson.
1. Be Present
The best gift you can give your grandchildren is your time and love. Show this by being present. Below are some ways to make sure you are present.
- Put away distractions – yes this means your cell phone, computer or anything else that will take your focus away from your grandchild. Whatever it is can wait.
- Get on the floor and play with them. Especially when they are little, meeting them at their level allows you to see their world a little bit better.
- Be Playful/Silly – Use toys to create funny stories or make silly noises. Let them interact with the you in silly ways too. Bringing back the “kid” in you will create fun memories with your grandchildren. And remember, you don’t need fancy toys to have fun, sometimes a box or laundry basket can create hours of play.
- Be Patient – sometimes just sitting on the floor or in a chair watching a program with your grandchild is a way you can create a connection with them.
2. Get up Early
I am an early bird anyway, but my favorite time with my grandson was getting him out of crib at 6:45 am and saying Good Morning! With his morning milk, we were able to cuddle on the couch as he was waking up. It was such a wonderful moment that I will never forget. It also let his parents’ sleep in a bit.
3. Plan Fun Activities
Kids have a lot of energy. Finding things to do and directing this energy in a positive way will make your visit more fun. Here are some of the things we did while they were visiting:
- We went to the Naples Zoo. It is a nice size. We could walk the entire zoo in less than 90 minutes.
- We walked to the local park several times. Both grandchildren love the swings.
- We went to the beach several times as well.
- Other ideas in Collier County include the Botanical Garden, the Children’s Museum, Tin City and the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Remember, when they are little, timing is everything. You will have to be flexible and allow for naps. If you go out to dinner, remember to make an early reservation 5 or 5:30 pm. Bring some treats or toys to keep the little ones occupied until the food arrives. Little ones are usually in bed by 7pm.
4. Take lots of pictures (create memories)
Time goes by so fast. Take lots of pictures both individual and together. You can create fun memories that you will be able to look back on and share with them as they get older.
5. Allow for Dirt
You have to allow the house to be messy. Toys on the floor, food under the highchair (thankfully we have our Golden Retriever Henry for that), dirty diapers and dirty clothes. Kids are messy. If this drives you crazy, try to remember that the visit is just a short time in the scheme of life. Don’t clean all the toys up until after the grandkids go to bed. But just let it go – Enjoy your grandchildren.
Closing Reflections
I am very grateful to have time to enjoy these days with my grandkids. I don’t have to think about reports or revenue projections as I am now self-employed. Having the time to spend on the ground with my grandson was amazing. When they left it was like I was sending my child off to college, I cried like a baby because I will miss this time with my little grandson. Cherish these precious moments.
For newer grandparents, I wanted to provide some of the Amazon links to essentials you will need in your home for the visit for kids 1-2 years of age. These are linked with my affiliate link directly to Amazon. They are great products.
- Crib – we like this collapsable crib for easy storage
- Highchair – This Nook High Chair is highly recommended
- Plates – WeeSprout Suction Plates
- Toddler Silverware
- Cups – Nuby 3 pack sippy cups
- Squishville mini toys
- Other baby products such as Dreft, bath soaps etc.
Enjoy!