Granddaddy and grammy are two of the most cherished people in my children's lives.

I cannot say that I was one of those children who spent lots of time with my grandma and grandpa.  My dad’s parents lived in California and my mom’s lived in New Jersey.  I saw them once in a while but not often enough.  I don’t feel like I was cheated out of anything, but I know I didn’t have the life my children have.  Both sets of their grandparents are still young and they have wonderful relationships with them.  We don’t live close to either of them but those bonds of love are very much there.

I think there is something to be said for the role a grandparent can play in the lives of our children.   The more good examples these kids have in their lives the better!  My son, Lincoln, spends alot of time with his grandaddy.  Grandaddy taught him how to tie his shoes, hang his clothes up, play LOTS of sports and get himself all ready for church.  With three children, those are things that sometimes fall through the cracks as I tend to the baby and her needs.  The skills he taught Lincoln are incredibly valuable and those are the moments when relationships are formed.

My mom spends countless hours with my daughter teaching her how to sew a doll and make other homemade crafts.  Those are the moments my Paige will remember with her grammy.

As mothers, I think we need to do all we can to foster these relationships with our children and their grandparents.  We all come from different backgrounds, but our need for love and family are the same!

One other way to keep these relationships alive is to have your children write letters and make pictures for their grandparents and send them in the mail.  When they receive a response to their letter, they will be so happy!!!

Do you encourage your kids to develop strong ties to their grandparents? Please share how in the comment box below.

All month we’ve been talking about how to raise a blended family. Blended families come in many forms. Today we’re talking about how to blend a family when grandparents are raising their grandchildren.

Many seniors are taking a second turn at parenting.

The U.S. Census Bureaus say that grandparents provide childcare for almost a quarter (23 percent) of children under the age of five. In nearly one-third of these households, grandparents are the primary caregivers.

Divorce, single-parent families, and financial hardships are just a few of the reasons why we see more grandparents stepping back into the roles of mother or father. This can be overwhelming for many older people and cause them to neglect their own personal and health needs.

Grandparents should recognize that maintaining their own health is critical. This means following through on doctor appointments, remembering to take prescription medications, getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, and reaching out for help when necessary.

Talking with others who are in similar surrogate-parenting roles may be very helpful. It’s a way to exchange ideas, vent frustrations, share information, and develop friendships.

For more tips on how to find resources to help, visit OHealthy.

Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild? What are your biggest successes and challenges? Click the comment link to reply.