Becoming grandparents for the first time is exciting. But it can also bring on feelings of unfounded apprehension. It’s not a time to dwell on your worries but a time to look forward to cradling your grandchild, hearing them call you ‘Grandma’ or ‘Grandad’ and the celebration of birthdays to follow. Read on for tips on how to make the most of being first time grandparents.
First things first
Think of the new parents. It’s a fine balancing act of knowing whether to offer help and advice and how much to give; you don’t want to overwhelm those who may not be confident or comfortable in their new role as parents. You may also need to take into account that you don’t offend them and you can do this by offering advice sparingly.
Allow your child to raise your grandchild how they wish, don’t criticise their efforts; instead show your support by highlighting how well they are doing. Let them have a break and offer to babysit this will be a special gift for new parents.
By all means buy presents, but some parents want more control than others over their children’s clothes and equipment, so test the waters by starting small.
Tell them stories about their own upbringing as new parents are likely to be interested in what they were like as babies. Keep the stories positive and avoid tales of horror.
Remember that you may be sharing duties with another set of grandparents, so if you haven’t been sociable with them before, now may be a good time to get to know them. Try and organise visits so that the new parents are not overwhelmed immediately after the birth.
Preparation is key
Keeping a drawer or container free for essentials for the baby will help you prepare for when your grandchild is at your home. A list of ideas for supplies is below:
o Baby wipes
o Nappies
o Nappy cream
o Bibs
o Bottle
o Blankets
o Several spare outfits
o Pyjamas
o Camera to snap those priceless moments
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