Should i babysit my grandchildren

This can be particularly harmful when done in front of your grandchildren. Listen to what parents say, and keep an open mind. Instead of reacting defensively, learn why your children do things a different way. It pays to ask first if parents want your suggestion. If so, offer praise and positive feedback along with what you want changed.

If parents don't want your advice, don't give it. Remember, your adult children have the right to make, and learn from, their own mistakes. Tanner says. Try not to give mixed messages. For instance, if the parent's rule is that your grandchildren can watch television only after they do their homework, respect the parent's wishes, even though you may feel them unfair. Grandchildren need to know what is acceptable at their parents' house and what is acceptable only with grandparents.

All rights reserved. Skip to content. Gray DC Bureau. Investigate TV. First Alert Weather. Weather Alerts. Download Our Apps. Traffic Map. High School. High School Play of the Week. High School Scores. But raising your grandchildren, while challenging, can also be incredibly rewarding. You may also find yourself rolling back the years, rejuvenated by the constant companionship of much younger people.

And you can derive immense satisfaction from providing your grandchildren with a safe, nurturing, and structured home environment in which to grow and feel loved. Some circumstances make it necessary for grandparents to seek legal help. The prospect of raising grandchildren is bound to trigger a range of emotions. Positive emotions, like the love you feel for your grandchildren, the joy in seeing them learn and grow, and relief at giving them a stable environment, are easy to acknowledge.

You may worry about how you will handle the additional responsibilities and what will happen to the grandkids if something happens to you. Or you might be resentful of other friends who are enjoying the retirement you once envisioned. You may also be grieving for your child and the difficulties that have led to this situation. At times, the physical, emotional, and financial demands may feel overwhelming.

But taking care of yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. In order to keep up with your grandkids, you need to be calm, centered, and focused. Looking after your own mental and physical health is how you get there. A healthy you means healthy grandchildren. Make it a priority to eat nutritious meals , exercise regularly , and get adequate sleep. Hobbies and relaxation are not luxuries. Carving out time for rest and relaxation is essential to avoid burnout and depression. Kids are smarter and more capable than we often give them credit for.

Even young children can pick up after themselves and help out around the house. Helping out will also make your grandkids feel good. Studies show that grandparents who cope well with the added stress of raising grandchildren are those who seek out others for support. This will give you a chance to work through your feelings and reach an acceptance of the situation. If you deny or ignore these feelings, they will come out in other ways and may affect your relationship with your grandkids.

Look for support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren. Hearing from people who have been there can help both uplift your spirits and give you concrete suggestions for your situation. Reach out in your community for childcare help. If you are a member of a church, synagogue or other religious organization, you may be able to ask around for available babysitters.

Try asking at a library storytime, chatting up other parents at the playground, finding out if any neighbors have a reliable teen available to babysit, or if other parents are interested in a babysitting swap.

Connect with parents with children. One grandmother, whose daughter is returning to work, shared her predicament with Reddit, asking if she was wrong to ask for payment. The grandmother stated that while she loves her grandson, she will be missing out on income, which her daughter then argued it's "only" two or three days a week.

The daughter also shared that she is willing to provide all food to save on expenses. Users suggested that the woman lacked empathy for her daughter's situation trying to make ends meet and get into the workforce. Obviously she can't afford that.