Friday, September 10, 2010
 
Becoming a Grandparent
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Get SmartTips Newslettes by Email SmartTips is a totally free weekly eMail newsletter featuring expert advise and tips on the topics that matter to you, such as:
  • Tempated by new car deals?  Check here first to avoid over-paying. 
  • End of the year anticipation?  Did something change this year that will affect your taxes?
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Save money with FREE tips on everything from budgeting, managing debt, buying insurance, and planning for retirement.

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Provide Childcare Print  
Caring for your grandchild is rewarding. But make sure to set limits.

Most grandparents enjoy caring for a grandchild while parents work. It’s a rare opportunity to build strong bonds with the next generation—and to have fun. Just make sure it works with your current lifestyle and future plans.

Getting Organized for Childcare
A plumber wouldn’t show up for work without a wrench in his toolkit. And a carpenter couldn’t do her job without a good hammer. Professionals need tools. And so do grandparents who provide childcare for grandchildren. It doesn’t matter how often or for how long you look after grandkids. You’ll do your best if you bring along some basic gear.

Some grandparents bring books or a craft project to entertain grandchildren during an evening of babysitting. Others pack favorite recipes if they’re staying for a week or more. A grandparent who provides daily childcare may rely on a comfortable pair of shoes to chase after toddlers. These tools are nice to have. But they aren’t the most important items in a grandparent’s toolkit.

Information—and lots of it—is what grandparent childcare providers need most. Having this information makes grandparents feel more confident. It helps grandchildren feel more secure. And it lets parents relax!

© 1995-2007, AARP. All rights reserved

Caring for your grandchild is rewarding. But make sure to set limits.

Most grandparents enjoy caring for a grandchild while parents work. It’s a rare opportunity to build strong bonds with the next generation—and to have fun. Just make sure it works with your current lifestyle and future plans.

Getting Organized for Childcare
A plumber wouldn’t show up for work without a wrench in his toolkit. And a carpenter couldn’t do her job without a good hammer. Professionals need tools. And so do grandparents who provide childcare for grandchildren. It doesn’t matter how often or for how long you look after grandkids. You’ll do your best if you bring along some basic gear.

Some grandparents bring books or a craft project to entertain grandchildren during an evening of babysitting. Others pack favorite recipes if they’re staying for a week or more. A grandparent who provides daily childcare may rely on a comfortable pair of shoes to chase after toddlers. These tools are nice to have. But they aren’t the most important items in a grandparent’s toolkit.

Information—and lots of it—is what grandparent childcare providers need most. Having this information makes grandparents feel more confident. It helps grandchildren feel more secure. And it lets parents relax!

© 1995-2007, AARP. All rights reserved


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Notice
By clicking any of the link(s) on this page you will be transferring from this Marsh site to a site comprised of third party content. You hereby agree that Marsh is not responsible or liable in any manner for such third party content hosted on the linked site.

 Act Now  
Ready to act on this tip? Start with the following:
Prepare your childcare toolkit.

Create a family childcare agreement.

Organizing your Childcare Toolkit

Planning on caring for your grandchidren?  Better get your toolkit ready!

It doesn’t matter how often or for how long you look after grandkids. You’ll do your best if you bring along some basic gear.

Some grandparents bring books or a craft project to entertain grandchildren during an evening of babysitting. Others pack favorite recipes if they’re staying for a week or more. A grandparent who provides daily childcare may rely on a comfortable pair of shoes to chase after toddlers.

These tools are nice to have. But they aren’t the most important items in a grandparent’s toolkit.

Learn more...

 


Source:  AARP

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

Organizing your Childcare Toolkit

Planning on caring for your grandchidren?  Better get your toolkit ready!

It doesn’t matter how often or for how long you look after grandkids. You’ll do your best if you bring along some basic gear.

Some grandparents bring books or a craft project to entertain grandchildren during an evening of babysitting. Others pack favorite recipes if they’re staying for a week or more. A grandparent who provides daily childcare may rely on a comfortable pair of shoes to chase after toddlers.

These tools are nice to have. But they aren’t the most important items in a grandparent’s toolkit.

Learn more...

 


Source:  AARP

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

Create a Family Childcare Agreement

Many grandparents who provide daily childcare for grandchildren say they get a lot more from the arrangement than they give. They’re able to enjoy a strong relationship with their grandchildren and to become an important part of their lives. They’re able to help their adult children—and to feel appreciated for the important role they play in the family. Some grandparents even find that caring for grandkids for a portion of each day makes them feel younger than they’ve felt in years.

Sound like a job made in heaven? It often starts out that way. But even the most ideal childcare arrangement can go sour if grandparents and parents aren’t careful.


Learn more...

 


Source:  AARP

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

Create a Family Childcare Agreement

Many grandparents who provide daily childcare for grandchildren say they get a lot more from the arrangement than they give. They’re able to enjoy a strong relationship with their grandchildren and to become an important part of their lives. They’re able to help their adult children—and to feel appreciated for the important role they play in the family. Some grandparents even find that caring for grandkids for a portion of each day makes them feel younger than they’ve felt in years.

Sound like a job made in heaven? It often starts out that way. But even the most ideal childcare arrangement can go sour if grandparents and parents aren’t careful.


Learn more...

 


Source:  AARP

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

  
 Learn More  
Want more information? Check out the following:
Learn about child development.

Learn about child emotions.

Learn About Child Development

Grandparents find it easy and fun to mark the happy milestones in a grandchild's life. A baby's first words are big news in any family. A child's first step is a great reason for a party! But how do grandparents greet the other, not-so-happy, milestones? How will you react, for example, when your loveable toddler suddenly greets you with frightened tears instead of a warm hug?

Don't let bad behaviors worry you or make you feel bad about yourself. All of them-the tears, the tantrums, are normal for grandchildren at certain ages. It's called "growing up," and it's not always pretty. This resource will allow you to know what to expect, making it easier for you to accompany grandchildren on their journey through life, while keeping your self-esteem intact.


Learn more...

 


Source:  AARP

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

Learn About Child Development

Grandparents find it easy and fun to mark the happy milestones in a grandchild's life. A baby's first words are big news in any family. A child's first step is a great reason for a party! But how do grandparents greet the other, not-so-happy, milestones? How will you react, for example, when your loveable toddler suddenly greets you with frightened tears instead of a warm hug?

Don't let bad behaviors worry you or make you feel bad about yourself. All of them-the tears, the tantrums, are normal for grandchildren at certain ages. It's called "growing up," and it's not always pretty. This resource will allow you to know what to expect, making it easier for you to accompany grandchildren on their journey through life, while keeping your self-esteem intact.


Learn more...

 


Source:  AARP

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

Learn About Child Emotions

Is it just a phase or a serious problem? Help your grandchild cope with life's ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Or find out how to understand your grandchild's behavior, whether it's toddler tantrums or teenage depression.


Learn more...

 


Source:  Nemours Foundations, Kidshealth.org

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

Learn About Child Emotions

Is it just a phase or a serious problem? Help your grandchild cope with life's ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Or find out how to understand your grandchild's behavior, whether it's toddler tantrums or teenage depression.


Learn more...

 


Source:  Nemours Foundations, Kidshealth.org

 

Note
The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose.

  


Congratulations! You’re a grandparent or soon to become one. Although this transition is less challenging than becoming a parent, it does have its challenges—and joys. The checklist below will help you make the most of your grand-parenting years.

 Adjust to your new role.

 Understand your grandchild.

 Childproof your home.

 Safety in the car.

 Help your grandchild stay healthy.

 Provide childcare.

 Help raise your grandchild.

 Provide discipline.

 Give financial gifts.

 Give non-financial gifts.

 Leave a legacy.

 Help with college savings.


 
This page contains third party content and/or links to third party Web sites. You hereby agree that Marsh is not responsible or liable in any manner for such third party content.
MMC
 
This page contains third party content and/or links to third party Web sites. You hereby agree that Marsh is not responsible or liable in any manner for such third party content.
MMC