Grandparent Opportunities 4/96
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THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY -- "GRANDPARENTING"
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"Golden Opportunities for Grandparents" is an extension newsletter prepared by
Pennsylvania Family Living agents: Jane Beightol, Mifflin Co., (717)
248-9618; Andrea Bressler, Clearfield Co., (814) 765-7878; Nancy Covert,
Jefferson Co., (814) 849-7361; Debra Gregory, Huntingdon Co., (814) 643-1660;
Sandra Hall, Clinton Co., (717) 893-4050; and Jane Mecum, Perry Co., (717)
582-2131. This electronic version is for use by other agents or directly by
community members. (*Professionals: Please acknowledge the source of these
materials if you re-use them.)
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Volume 7, Number 2, 1996
IN THIS ISSUE
Gifting Grandchildren - Long Distance
Same Ways to Keep in Touch
Family Favorites Recipe Book
Family Fun Information Game
Hazardous Handbag
Magnifying Fingerprints
Reward the Good; Ignore the Bad
Renewal Form
Dear Grandparent,
Welcome to another issue of "The Golden Opportunity." If you've enjoyed
receiving this newsletter and wish to continue on the mailing list, you'll
need to complete and return the renewal form. Take care of this right now,
and you'll be sure to receive the May issue.
Grandparents are fortunate to have the role that parents cannot usually play.
Most grandparents can give common sense advice on many subjects to their
grandchildren without worrying about the kids developing an attitude or tuning
them out. Grandparents often have the time and patience that parents lack.
Grandparents serve as a role model, teacher, nurturer, provider, and mentor.
They provide children an additional outlet to vent their feelings.
Grandparents are often among the few older persons with whom children have an
opportunity to develop relationships. They serve as a link between children
and their extended family history, as well as a window into the life of an
older person.
Grandparents living near to their grandchildren can take advantage of frequent
opportunities to maintain these ties. It becomes more of a challenge when the
grandchildren live at a distance. This issue is devoted to ideas,
suggestions, and activities to maintain a warm relationship while living
apart.
Sincerely,
Andrea Bressler - Extension Agent
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* HERE COME THE GRANDKIDS *
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GIFTING GRANDCHILDREN-LONG DISTANCE
Young children love to get mail, especially from grandparents. Birthdays and
holidays are obvious times to send cards and gifts but an unexpected letter or
gift is equally special.
Send short but frequent notes asking about your grandchildren's activities and
interests. Tell them you look forward to hearing from them. Try to establish
and maintain a two-way correspondence. Request pictures to display on your
refrigerator.
Before you leave on a trip send an empty postcard-size photo album to your
grandchild. Tell him/her you will be sending picture postcards from your trip
to put in the album. On each postcard describe the most important or exciting
thing you did in that place. This travel book will be read over and over.
Send a favorite cookie or other recipe that parent(s) and children can make
together. Include money to cover the cost of any special ingredient(s) which
may be required.
Choose a good children's book you know your grandchild will like. Before
sending it, take time to read the story into a tape recorder. Begin the
recording with, "This story (give the title) is read especially for
(grandchild's name) by (Grandparent's name). Over time you can build up a
unique and treasured "listening library." Ask parents for suggestions for this
special collection
Look for books which suggest activities such as PLANTING A RAINBOW by Lois
Ehlert. In addition to taping the book, send along packets of flower seeds and
child sized garden tools so that your grandchild can plant his/her own
rainbow.
Order subscriptions to magazines appropriate your grandchild's age. In your
letters or telephone conversations ask questions about the content. Encourage
the child to keep the magazines so you can share them together when you visit
in person.
Collect photographs from your own and your children's childhood. Put them in a
small photograph album. Write a sentence or two to accompany each picture.
Grandchildren will enjoy reading this "real" story many times over.
Arrange pictures of your grandchildren in small photo albums with appropriate
captions. They can be in chronological order, feature a special occasion, or a
visit to your home. Possible titles, MY BOOK ABOUT ME, MY THIRD BIRTHDAY, or
MY DAY AT GRANDMA AND GRANDPA'S FARM are sure to be a big hit.
Notice your grandchildren's outdoor play environment. Consider underwriting
the cost of planting a tree that will grow along with your grandchildren.
Grandchildren and their parents can visit a local nursery to choose the tree
and arrange to have it planted. Request pictures of the children beside the
tree at least twice a year to monitor growth. Save these, and over time make a
book MY TREE AND ME to present to your grandchild.
Add long term beauty to your grandchildren's yard with gifts of daffodil and
tulip bulbs. Perennial flowers are wonderful possibilities. Offer to supply
some of the labor for establishing a small garden.
Give a gift certificate for a bird feeder or birdbath with an appropriate bird
identification book to increase interest in watching birds.
Thoughtful gifts and notes sent throughout the year can have a significant
long term impact. They also keep grandparents and their grandchildren in
touch. Enjoy!
Prepared by: Elaine Wickersham, Better Kid Care Training Facilitator
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* CHILDREN'S PAGE *
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SOME WAYS TO KEEP IN TOUCH
Regular communication spanning the miles helps relationships grow and makes
for more interesting conversations when members see each other again.
Try some of these suggestions:
* Record stories, family news, and family music on audio or video tapes
and mail to each other.
* Send small gifts when least expected.
* Share ideas gleaned from a recent book you read (perhaps you have more
time to read than others).
* Send photographs regularly.
* Start a family history.
* Send material for a family quilt or have different family members
design quilt blocks.
* Send cards, messages, and gifts on special holidays and birthdays.
FAMILY FAVORITES RECIPE BOOK
Create your own family favorites cookbook. Collect special recipes from
family members and compile them into the (your name) Family Cookbook.
Although this may take some time your family will appreciate having recipes
for foods that have become part of special occasions.
This book can help grandchildren learn to cook and it will help carry on
traditions as they will always have Grandma's recipe for Sand tart cookies and
Grandpa's recipe for Baked Macaroni.
Add notes why the food is special and what occasion was it first served.
FAMILY FUN INFORMATION GAME
Finish the statements and share with your grandchildren. have them finish the
same statements to share with you.
I was born in _________________________________________________________.
I lived in ____________________________________________________________.
My favorite color is __________________________________________________.
My favorite food is ___________________________________________________.
My favorite television show is ________________________________________.
Sports I enjoy include ________________________________________________.
My favorite sports team is ____________________________________________.
My favorite hobby is __________________________________________________.
When I was in school __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
I voted for Presidents ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
My favorite vacation place is _________________________________________.
Jobs I have worked include: ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
My best friend is _____________________________________________________.
I remember when _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
Prepared by Sandra Hall, Clinton County Extension
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* GRAND IDEAS *
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HAZARDOUS HANDBAG
How many of these items do you carry in your purse and may be potentially
hazardous to small children?
* Over-the counter cold medicine: May cause agitation, seizure, or
drowsiness.
* Magic Marker Cap: May be choking hazard.
* Paper Clips/Coins: May be choking hazard.
* Chocolate Laxatives: May cause severe diarrhea.
* Nasal Spray: May cause heart problems or seizures.
* Eye Drops: If ingested, may cause RjittersS heart problems, or
shock.
* Car Keys: Could be stuck into electrical outlet causing
electrocution.
* Hair Spray: If misdirected, may irritate eyes.
* Perfume: If ingested and contains alcohol, may cause intoxication.
* Hand Cream: Large ingestion may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and
diarrhea.
* Nail File: May cause piercing or penetration injury.
* Baby Powder: Inhaling or swallowing particles of talc can cause
chemical pneumonia.
If you carry any of these items in your handbag, make sure it is up and out of
the reach of small curious children.
REWARD THE GOOD;
IGNORE THE BAD
Children are new to this world, so they canUt be expected to know what we
already know - including how and how not to behave. Children donUt know the
consequences of behaving certain ways. They need to find out, so they test
parents and grandparents and watch for the results.
For example, children may press to see how far whining or an argument can be
pushed. Then they watch. If their behavior is rewarded, they will whine or
argue again. If the behavior gets no reward, the child learns NOT to behave
that way.
This may sound easy, but remember that children learn by what actually happens
and not just by what they are told. If an adult says RNo snacks before lunch,S
but the child whines until the adult gives her something to eat, then the
message comes through that Rsnacking before lunch is sometimes okay.S RAll I
have to do to get a snack is whine!S
A second problem is that adults often reward poor behavior without even
knowing it. Some children may do things to get attention. They may even see an
adultUs anger as a form of attention.
Guiding children's behavior isn't easy. A good rule of thumb to follow is to
reward good behavior by giving the child your attention and ignore bad
behavior.
Prepared by: Jane Beightol, Extension Agent - Mifflin County
Source: Caring For Kids Newsletter
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+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Dr. Dan Lago, Ph.D., Penn State Extension Aging Specialist
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
323 Ag. Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802-2601
(814) 863-7871
Internet Address: djl@psu.edu