Having fun with your grandkids
Enjoy the time while they’re young without tiring yourself out completely
AS WE get older things come into our life that we have never dealt with before.
They can manifest themselves as occurrences which bring great joy — such as grandchildren, or as challenges — such as having less energy or mobility.
It’s important to make allowances for both in your life, and accept your age as a factor which changes how you can approach things.
In today’s society grandparents are being called on more frequently to look after their grandchildren.
This is due in part to escalating childcare expenses, longer working hours for parents and the increased likelihood that both parents are working.
One thing to keep in mind if you find yourself being called on as a carer is that your own health, time and energy levels need to be factored in.
Have a chat to your children about how many hours a day you feel up to doing.
And remember that it’s important to establish some quiet time during the day for both yourself and your grandchildren.
This can be an activity like drawing, colouring in or watching a movie together.
If you establish it as part of the routine when the children have a day with nanna and granddad it will become expected and be much easier to factor in a bit of downtime.
Having grandchildren enter your life is an incredibly special time, but it won’t help anybody if you become burnt out.
So keep your own fatigue and health in mind, and enjoy the precious memories you will be creating with your family.