These are the things your grandkids want to say, but they are too afraid to do so!
You definitely love your grandkids and want the best for them, but sometimes the age gap, the distance, and the type of relationship you have can make communication a little bit difficult.
Maintaining a healthy and close relationship is based on honesty, but there are some things your grandkids want to say, but they might feel weird to do it or scared. This doesn’t mean you did something wrong! Sometimes kids will be kids, and this is just a lesson they have to learn about open communication.
This is also a lesson for you and will help you become the best version of yourself. A good grandparent is a grandparent who understands their grandchildren and is open to learning more about them.
So, read on and find out what the things your grandkids want to say but they haven’t yet! Sometimes the little things are the ones that make the biggest difference. Being aware of these things can help you build a strong relationship that will stand the test of time.
1. Don’t be mad at them just because you are mad at their parents
This is clear: family connections and relationships can be a lot of work, and sometimes they just don’t go how we want them. There are times when we can’t get along with our families, but we can take a pause and try again when things calm down.
These relationships are dynamic and sometimes illness; moving out of the town or something else can create an imbalance that the entire family will feel. This is how tension can creep between you and your loved ones, and more than often the little ones will become collateral victims.
One of the things your grandkids want to say is that there is no need to ostracize them because you are not in the best relationship with their parents. Being mad at the parents is okay. That is your business. But you don’t have to make the kids feel like you are also mad at them.
When you are trying to avoid the parents, it can be easier to also avoid the grandparents, but instead of this, you should try focusing more on the relationship you have with the kids. The adult issues should be kept separate from them, and you should try to have a normal grandparent-grandkid connection.
2. Some of your views can be outdated and even offensive
Depending on their age, be sure your grandkids are aware that you grow up in a different era. Because of this, you might have different lifestyle choices or political ideologies, but this should not be an obstacle.
But among the things your grandkids want to say is that sometimes what you discuss with them can be uncomfortable or even offensive. Maybe they want to marry a person you don’t find suitable because of various preconceptions that you have, or maybe they want to go to a college you don’t agree with.
There are a lot of things your grandkids want to say, but they can be afraid of your reaction. They don’t want to upset you, and as a way to protect you, they can choose not to tell you important life updates.
What you can do is try to never judge them. Things were made a certain way when you were younger, but now things have changed, and maybe your grandkids are independent adults who will live their lives however they want.
It is better to not interfere with them and instead give them all the support that you can. They will be more than grateful for this. Now, we know that doing this is not as easy as it sounds, but it can be an exercise you do every so often, and over time, things can get better.
3. They want to know more about you
Maybe they seem quiet and don’t ask too many questions, but one of the things your grandkids want to say but never do is that they want to know you better. Most of them are curious about their grandparents and their lives.
Tell them stories about yourself, tell them about the years when you were younger, and tell them all the things you think are worth sharing. Can you remember the times when you were a kid and the adults were telling you stories about them? Probably you were excited about them, and so will your grandkids.
Spend time with them, and be sure they will be grateful for knowing more about you as a person. You’re not just an old folk who has dinner with them once in a while. Keep the family tales alive, and make sure you tell them all the interesting stories.
4. They know when you have favorites
As you can see, there are a lot of things your grandkids want to say, but one of the most controversial ones is this: they know when you have a favorite. When you like a grandkid more than the others, you ask them more questions, you are there ready to help them, and you are interested in their hobbies.
Maybe you say that these things are not true, but they are, and the kids can easily notice them. Now, there is not much you can do. Sometimes it happens to have favorites, but you need to know that this thing can stem from your lack of interest.
Maye your favorite has this title because you have that special connection and you’ve clicked instantly. This is a wonderful thing, but psychologists urge you to recognize that each kid is unique. One way to respect them is to try to understand them with all of their quirks and differences.
Try to spend some alone time with each grandkid and find out what is meaningful to them. If you refuse to get to know them, they will never be confident enough to be themselves around you.
5. Take care of yourself
Maybe you are not aware of this, but one of the things your grandkids want to say is to take care of your health. They can easily notice when you are not okay, and since they love you, they want you to be well.
When you are not taking care of yourself, your quality of life drops, and this is pretty easy to observe from afar. Maybe you are more tired and get angry more easily; your grandkids can see these things. No one wants to see their loved ones struggle, and health is an important aspect of this.
So, what can you do? Be sure that your grandkids want you to be around for as long as possible so you can try to make some lifestyle changes and go to the checkups when you need to. Maybe try to walk more and eat more healthily. These are both things that help, but probably the most important one is to go to the doctor. The better your health, the more time you’ll have to spend with your grandkids.
These are some of the most important things your grandkids want to say. What do you think about them? Tell us in the comments!
If you want a little trick that can help you develop a deeper bond with your grandkids, this game promises to do exactly that: TableTopics Grandparents & Grandkids – 135 Fun Conversation Cards to Connect with Your Family, Create New Lasting Memories
You should also read: 6 Things You Should NEVER Tell Your Grandchildren
