Neil Taft & Good To Great Grandparenting
Neil Taft
Published Author
Great-Great Grandpa NEIL has survived almost 80 years, still in good health and with abundant loving and lovable children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and now a great-great-grandchild. All of this fills him with so much Gratitude that he wants to share that and his considerable experience with other Grandparents. He awakes each morning brimming with energy and enthusiasm. He feels it is his job to spread that energy and enthusiasm with everyone he meets everywhere he goes.
My Reason for Writing This Book
I wrote this book to help Grandparents rise to the next level of the experience we call Grandparenting. This level doesn’t require any of us to become something we are not; it simply provides a path to become more of who we are and who we want to become. My approach will be to offer each of my readers Food for Thoughtfulness.
This book aims to share what I’ve learned about Grandparenting, which as it turns out, was a challenge far more daunting than any of us could have ever begun to imagine.
Influence over immediate family: As grandparents, you may have significant influence over your own children (the parents of your grandchildren) and the immediate family unit. Your relationship with your adult children can impact how involved you are in the lives of your grandchildren, the level of support you provide, and the overall dynamics within the family.
However, you don’t get to choose your grandchildren or the circumstances surrounding their lives. They are part of your extended family, and their upbringing, personalities, and experiences are shaped by various factors beyond your control, such as their parents’ values, environment, and external influences.
Ultimately, while you may have influence over your immediate family and your relationship with your grandchildren, the broader context of extended family dynamics adds complexity to the grandparenting experience. It requires flexibility, communication, and sometimes compromise to navigate these relationships and create positive experiences for everyone involved.
Why Should Someone Read This Book?
We have some influence over our immediate family but we don’t get to choose our extended family and all that comes with that.
Preserving and nurturing relationships with grandchildren, especially in today’s world where families are often spread out and busy, is incredibly important. Here are some reasons why:
Emotional Connection: Grandparent-grandchild relationships can be incredibly meaningful and provide a sense of love, security, and belonging for both parties. These connections can offer a unique bond that enriches everyone’s lives: Thus, Lasting Meaningful Connections.
Positive Influence: Grandparents can serve as positive role models for grandchildren, imparting values, teaching life skills, and encouraging personal growth and development. Their presence in grandchildren’s lives can have a lasting impact on their character and outlook on life.
Family History and Tradition: Grandparents are often keepers of family history and tradition. By spending time with grandchildren, sharing stories, and passing down traditions, grandparents can help instill a sense of identity and belonging within the family.
Quality Time: In today’s fast-paced world, quality time spent with loved ones is more important than ever. Grandparent-grandchild relationships provide opportunities for bonding, making memories, and enjoying shared activities that can strengthen family ties and create lasting bonds.
Why is it important now?
Most families don’t live close to each other and if they do they are so very busy. It is important to focus all that we can on preserving and nurturing relationships with our Grandkids.
Why are you the best person to write it?
My first two books delt with estranged families. Most of my research for this and the other two books have dealt with trying to minimize family tensions and disruptions. My goal is to create Lasting Meaningful Connections with each Grandchild.
Creating lasting, meaningful connections with each grandchild is a beautiful and worthwhile goal. Here are some suggestions to help you achieve it:
Individual Attention: Make an effort to spend one-on-one time with each grandchild, getting to know their unique interests, personalities, and preferences. This can help foster a deeper bond and show them that you value and appreciate them as individuals.
Listen and Validate: Take the time to truly listen to your grandchildren, showing empathy, understanding, and validation for their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Being a supportive and nonjudgmental presence can help strengthen your relationship and build trust.
Share Stories and Wisdom: Share stories from your own life experiences, family history, and cultural heritage with your grandchildren. This not only passes down valuable wisdom and knowledge but also helps create a sense of connection to their roots and heritage.
Create Traditions: Establish special traditions and rituals that you can share with each grandchild, whether it’s baking cookies together, going on nature walks, or reading a favorite book. These shared experiences can create lasting memories and strengthen your bond over time.
Be Present and Engaged: Make a conscious effort to be present and engaged during your time together with your grandchildren. Put away distractions like phones or screens and focus on being fully present in the moment, showing genuine interest and enthusiasm for what they’re saying or doing.
Support Their Interests: Encourage and support your grandchildren in pursuing their interests and passions, whether it’s sports, music, art, or academics. Showing an interest in their hobbies and activities can help them feel valued and supported by you.
Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your grandchildren’s milestones, achievements, and special occasions, whether it’s a birthday, graduation, or other significant event. This shows them that you’re proud of their accomplishments and invested in their happiness and success.
Stay Connected: Find ways to stay connected with your grandchildren, even if you’re physically apart. Use technology like video calls, emails, or social media to maintain regular communication and share updates, photos, and stories from your life.
