Grandparents can play a very important role in their grandchildren’s lives. It doesn’t matter whether they live right down the street or halfway across the country. Grandparents have so much life experience they can share unbelievably important life lessons and also have.
- Open a college savings account– There is so much pressure on the boomers and gen x’ers that opening a 529 plan or some type of college savings account can be a huge help to your grandchildren.
- Attend one of their events– Unfortunately, both parents can’t always make all of the games or concerts. Sitting front row for your grandchildren’s events will mean the world to them.
- Take them on a trip– Whether you take the entire family or just the grandkids, taking them on a cruise or a vacation is a great way to help them have fun especially if your kids cannot afford at least one special trip.
- Share your top three mistakes in life– It can take a lifetime to assess what things really went right and what went wrong. As your grandchildren become teenagers, try to share those powerful lessons to help your grandkids do better in life.
- Show them how to balance a checkbook– Checkbooks? Yes, your grandchildren are so used to the world of electronic technology that you can show them how to be smart to watch the inflows and outflows of their money.
- Go coupon clipping– It’s likely as a grandparent that you’ve clipped a coupon or two. Show the grandkids how to save money on the purchases they make in the future.
- Teach them a craft or hobby– Whatever your passion is in life, share that in detail with them. It may be gardening, golfing, or simply how to knit a hat. When the grandkids are young and you still have the energy, you can really instill something cool in them for the rest of their lives.
- Take them for a tour of your college – If you have the energy, take them for a trip to your alma mater when they are approaching college age. They may not go to your college, but it would be neat to get your perspective on what school was like when you attended.
- Pass down one family heirloom or tradition– You may question this one, but there is something important about holding on to the history in your family. This may be a ring, a baseball card collection, or a piece of art. It could also be something that the family has done for decades and decades that the grandchildren can carry on as a tradition for the next generations.
- Most of all teach them at least one life principle– Principles are those rules that ground us in making good life decisions. Spend a breakfast or a lunch educating them on the most important principle you know in life.
What ways do you think your parents can help your kids in the future? Share this article with them and please share your thoughts on how your kids can learn from your parents.
Written by: Ted Jenkin
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