3 Ways Your Kids Can Bond with Their Grandparents
Did you know that more families today are living in households with both grandparents and grandchildren under one roof? For example, in 2008, 49 million Americans or 16.1 percent of the population lived in a household with two adult generations or a grandparent and another generation, according to a Pew Research Center poll.
But what if your parents don’t live with you and reside in an assisted living community instead? If so, it’s more important than ever for your children to establish a great relationship with their grandparents. Creating a strong bond will help grandchildren learn a lot more from their grandmas and grandpas!
Take a look below to learn about the top three activities that grandparents can do with their grandkids. Keep reading to better understand what your parents can teach your kids.
Storytelling and reading books
One way grandparents can bond with their grandsons or granddaughters is by reading educational children’s books and telling them stories about their past.
Through this process, you can really teach kids about history. You can tell them about growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. You can discuss civil rights protests and the Vietnam war. Your grandkids will love your stories and will be happy to learn directly from you instead of a schoolbook.
Play musical instruments with your grandkids (or take up other hobbies!)
Older adults that have a hobby such as playing a musical instrument can bond over it with their grandson or granddaughter. Even a rudimentary knowledge of the piano or a guitar can lead to a great bonding experience with grandkids.
Other hobbies are also encouraged. If your kids love to bake, encourage your mom to bake some cookies or brownies with your kids. If your dad likes woodworking or gardening, tell your son or daughter to give him a hand.
Teach grandkids new games
Do you want to get your kids away from their video games or their smartphones? Then sit them down with your parents and play some cards! There’s plenty of great boardgames like Monopoly that can fill up an afternoon as well.
If your kids leave their video games behind and spend some time with their grandparents, they may learn they love playing cards!
These activities will be a great way for your parents to bond with their grandkids. Storytelling and reading children’s books will help your kids learn about history. Playing music or taking up another hobby will also help your kids become well-rounded.