Embracing Grandparenting in the 21st Century

Becoming a grandparent is a big milestone.

Key points:

As children grow up, become parents themselves, and start their own families, the dynamics between parents and grandparents evolve.

In this episode of the ‘Grandparenthood Podcast’, Ben McEachen and Ian Barnett dive into the transitions that happen when families change and offer insights on how grandparents can navigate this new phase of their lives.

Because, as Ian says, the transition from parent to grandparent can be full of highs and lows.

The transition from parent to grandparent can be full of highs and lows.

Embrace the change

“You start to have an insight into these kids of yours, who you’ve raised,” Ian said of watching your children become parents.

“They’ve gone through change, they’re now in their 20s or 30s, they’re having kids, and you start to see how they parent differently.”

While this shift is natural, it requires flexibility, and particularly when children marry, they often bring in new values and methods of parenting.

“We shouldn’t expect our kids to do exactly what we did… that’s a mistake,” Ian said and explains that while you may feel a sense of loss, it’s important to accept these changes.

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Grandparenting is about balancing love, support, and respect – dynamics which can be navigated with grace.

Embrace a new approach

When you become a grandparent, the way you parent also evolves, often into a more lenient and “gracious” approach.

“We are far more gracious towards our grandkids than we ever were with our kids,” Ian said.

However, this can sometimes cause tension with parents who feel their children are being overindulged.

Supporting the parenting styles of the new generation is vital, Ian explained.

Even things as simple as respecting boundaries around screen time and sugar limits make a big difference.

Listen to this episode of the ‘Grandparenthood Podcast’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Embrace communication

Communication is also vital in these evolving relationships.

“You can actually ring up your sons or daughters and say, “how you going?”” Ian said.

It’s about keeping the connection strong, offering emotional support, and understanding that both generations may make mistakes.

Ultimately, the evolving role of grandparents is about balancing love, support, and respect – dynamics which can be navigated with grace, creating stronger family bonds across generations.

Listen to this episode of the ‘Grandparenthood Podcast’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Featured image: Photos by CanvaPro