Sharing family history through stories provides children a positive
connection to the generations before them, vivid anecdotes to cherish
and recall about those they love, those who love them in return. Though
each family has unique experiences worth passing along, here are six
stories we all have to share:
How you met your partner in grandparenting. This story
serves as the genesis of your family, the reason for all stories that
follow, making it the natural spot to begin sharing family history. Were
you and your spouse school chums? Was it love at first sight? What made
you nervous, made you laugh, made you know it was meant to be?
Grandchildren will appreciate not only your words but the nostalgic
gleam in your eye as you recall young love.
The day the grandchild’s parent was born. First comes
love, then comes marriage, then comes the grandchild’s Mommy or Daddy in
the baby carriage. Tell your grandchild all about the glorious day her
parent arrived in the world – minus any frightening tales of being in
labor, of course. Considering Mommy or Daddy as a wrinkled and wailing
yet oh-so adorable infant will surely make any child smile.
The day the grandchild was born. Talk about adorable!
This is the day that matters more than any other to a child. Sure, they
likely heard the story from Mom’s and Dad’s perspective, but what about
Grandma’s or Grandpa’s? Were you in the room when the grandchild entered
the world? Or were you miles away, the phone close by your side as you
anxiously awaited news that would forever rock your world? Did you laugh
or cry with joy? And how did that first cuddle with your newborn
grandbaby feel?
School days, school ways. Once a child begins
kindergarten all the way up through the college years, school makes up
the bulk of his experiences. Share your own experiences related to
teachers, classmates, beloved (and detested) subjects, extracurricular
activities, and more. Why was your favorite teacher your favorite? Did
you walk to school or ride a bus? And as lunchtime continues to be a
favorite part of the school day, what was the midday meal like for you?
Some things were likely very different back in your school days, others
very much the same.
Your first job and your favorite job. Early work
experiences provide far more than money for movie tickets or coveted
clothing parents can’t provide. First jobs help teach responsibility,
new skills, a sense of purpose, an understanding of the world outside
our homes and, more often than not, provide some of the first non-family
role models in a young adult’s life. Grandchildren who will soon seek
employment – from babysitting and lawn-mowing jobs to post-college
careers – will especially relate to stories from Grandma or Grandpa on
how they navigated the business world, for better and for worse.
Your proudest moments. Pride in oneself is a powerful
and positive tool, and there’s no easier way to encourage that in
children than by sharing anecdotes of pride-filled moments from your
past. Are your proudest moments tied to creative pursuits or related to
service to your family, your community, your country? Perhaps it was a
moment of realizing your personal power when resisting peer pressure,
accepting responsibility, overcoming a challenge? Sharing such moments
leads a child to consider similar moments she should – or could – be
proud of.
Reading books with little ones make for treasured story times. Next
time your grandchild requests a story, though, share a personal tale
from the heart instead of from a book. Such family narratives engage a
grandchild far beyond just bedtime; they entertain and enlighten your
grandchild for a lifetime.
Source: Grandparents.com, 6 Family Stories to Tell Your Grandchildren Again and Again, By Lisa Carpenter
This is a great article. I love my grandparents because they did a lot for me when I was young. It was sad for me when they have to get extra help to live when they got older. My parents really wanted to find them care services that would help them with what they needed. Visiting Angels in NJ was a great option because they offered all the health care but still allowed them to live an independent life.
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