I just returned my 4 year old granddaughter to her parents after she spent a week with me. What a wonderful time we had: baking cupcakes, swimming in the pool, reading books, playing “beauty shop” and seeing a movie at the theater. Being with my grands is one of the things that brings me great joy these days, and although they live in another state, I try to make the effort to see them regularly.

This summer, I determined to have each of the two older grands for a few days by themselves, which is why my granddaughter was here. In a family with 4 kids, they don’t always get focused attention so, I like to provide that for them. When they are here by themselves, it’s all about them. I recently attended Grandparent’s Day at their school and will never forget something their  principal said to all of us grandparents. She said, “When you were raising your kids, the word of the day was, ‘no’, but now you are in the phase of, ‘yes’!” It is so true!  Yes, you can have that cookie even though it’s right before dinner; Yes, you can stay up late; yes, you can play in the rain; yes, we can read another book. You get the idea.

At the end of the summer is our yearly Grand Camp when we have all but the youngest for a week of fun and adventure. Due to the fact the we have a pool, they have to know how to swim or have taken a drown-proofing class, such as, Infant Swim Rescue before they can attend Grand Camp. My daughter even helps me design matching shirts for them to wear for the week! It’s a tradition we hope to keep up as long as we are able and there are grands who want to come.

It’s not always easy to spend an entire week with our grands—in fact, it can be very tiring at our age. But we think it’s important. Here’s why:

• Grandparents can lavish love and attention on them while not having to be the day-to-day disciplinarians. Kids need to know they are unconditionally loved by someone other than their parents.
• Grandparents can share family stories and traditions to give their grandkids a sense of history and belonging in the world.
• Grandparents can provide for the grandkids a place of emotional support outside of their immediate family, when needed.
• Grandparents can teach their grandkids about Jesus and share stories from the Bible.
• Grandparents have the knowledge and experience gained from raising their own kids. They now have a second chance to use that wisdom and do even better! (If only I could go back, knowing what I know now, right?)

We spend a lot of time on the road visiting with or picking up our grands who live in a neighboring state. If you’re not able to drive long distances there are other things you can do for out-of-town grands: You can Facetime them weekly (ask their parents what time is best), write them letters and cards (it is such a novel idea these days, they will love it!), videotape yourself reading a book and send it to them (their parents) via email or text.

Parents are busy. Grandparents are a vital resource, especially, when there are multiple children in the home. Traditional values are fading fast, but—that’s our specialty! We can intentionally pass on our faith and values to the next generation, starting with our own grandkids.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them dilligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, When you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)