There is something always special about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, and it’s so much deeper and hard to explain the feelings.
As a child, one of my favourite things to do was to visit my grandparent’s house. We never wanted to leave! I remember we’d always throw a fit when it was time to go. There was just something so magical about it. I remember when I was a child My grandpa held my hands tightly such as I should not get lost in the crowd and it was timed so beautiful where your grandparents share their life experiences. Time is really merciless it ran very fast; now, I am twenty-one years old. This summer when we went out for a trip I held my grandma’s hand tightly such that she should not be in trouble whenever I go out with her. She behaves like a child now and I treat her like a parent does. Sometimes or often when she is childish or doesn't know how to use a mobile phone when technology is rapidly growing, I get furious and shout at her when she doesn't know small things. She remains silent and fears to speak to me. Obvious Life is a boomerang!!
It is disheartening to see the number of old age homes is increasing day to day. It is mainly because of the grown-ups who fail to realize their duty and are so much engrossed in their personal lives that they feel it burden to keep the parents with them. They feel it as an interference in their personal lives and eventually tell their parents that they can not keep them. The second main reason is the new generation is becoming more materialistic and their attitude towards parents is changing. They seem to have lost their patience.
It’s not an easy decision for the parents. But, they have to move to these houses when they can no longer tolerate the insult or they are told by their stone-hearted children to leave the house. Old age home is their last resort or where else would they go?
People must realize their responsibility towards parents who need physical and emotional support in the late years of their life.
In today’s world, though, families may be scattered across the country, and jam-packed school and work schedules may interfere with regular time with grandparents. Despite physical distance or busy schedules, we can still develop a closer bond with our grandparents.
Try these tips:
- Visit often. If your grandparents live nearby, make an effort to save time in your busy schedule for regular visits. Encourage grandparents to visit your home, too. Plan regular trips to see out-of-town grandmas and grandpas. Even if visits are infrequent, anticipating and planning the next trip can help your regard that time as special.
- Stay in touch with technology. Use the telephone, email, Skype, etc., to talk, write, and send pictures and sound files of your kids to grandparents. If they don’t own a computer, send videos of the kids in action.
- Say cheese. Post snapshots of grandparents in your home and point them out to your friends often. Or keep family pictures in a special photo album and page through it while naming the family members.
- Send. Send grandparents a box of stationery and postcards and some stamps and ask them to write regularly.
- Pass it on. Many grandparents have hobbies or special skills — such as knitting, woodworking, or cooking — that they’d love to pass on to their grandkids. Give the time and tools needed to learn these skills from your grandparents.
- Chart a family tree. Both younger and older kids enjoy learning about their ancestors and relatives. Encourage grandparents to share stories of their families. You can even provide paper and drawing supplies (or genealogy software) so they can chart the family tree.
Whether grandparents live nearby or you’re planning to visit, don’t forget to make safety a priority. Grandparents may not be used to having young kids in the house, and household dangers could mean trips to the emergency room.
Consider walking through the home with the grandparents to look for any potential safety hazards. They may not realize that small or breakable items are a choking or safety risk.
Taking these precautions ahead of time can free grandchild and grandparents to make the most of their special time together.
So, thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for your never-ending love. Thank you for always indulging yourself in whatever we find fascinating at the moment. You are creating memories to last a lifetime. Thank you for always listening intently to the silly stories, loving me even when I throw huge fits and encouraging me to be brave when trying new things.
We are all going to get old someday, and we certainly don’t want the next generation to be discriminating against us when we get there. Luckily, the best antidote to ageism is to foster positive relationships between children and their grandparents.
