By Laurel Seiler Brunvoll

Kids of all ages love spending time with their grandparents. Part of the attraction of the relationship is the freedom to just enjoy one another. Grandparents typically don’t have to work full-time, manage the household, oversee school responsibilities, juggle extra curricular activities, and enforce rules—all at the same time. It appears that they are more able (or have learned anyway) to just focus on the child.

Whether it’s a fishing trip, reading a book or baking cookies in the kitchen, those memories are important to a kid growing up in today’s world. Children need the opportunity to be loved and appreciated by their grandparents on a regular basis.
Here are a few things we can do to help the grandparent/grandchild relationship:

• Create “alone-time” opportunities. The best way for your child to get to know his or her grandparents to spend time alone with them. If the grandparents are willing, a weekend or even a week without Mom and Dad is irreplaceable. Savor the stories they tell you upon your return.
• Let Grandpa and Grandma be themselves. They can introduce your child to new activities and hobbies. They can show them their way of life. Who knows maybe they’ll enjoy something different from what you like to do.
• Try hard not to criticize any disciplining differences or rule bending. Grandparents can get away with things that parents cannot. The kids will survive without your rules for a few days. It might even be good for them.

Going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house is one of the best memories a kid can have!  The whole family is benefited when parents and grandparents do everything possible to make sure this happens.

Laurel Seiler Brunvoll, author and speaker, is CEO of LSB Inc., a financial systems development and integration firm, and lives in Maryland with her husband, Steven, and two sons. Her two latest books, All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa and All My Good Habits I Learned from Grandma, are fun-loving tributes that celebrate family.  For more information, please visit Laurel’s website:  www.laurelbrunvoll.com