relationships-family, marriage, parenting – watercress words by Dr Aletha

updated September 2, 2024

Early in my blogging, I was grilled. Grilled as in “intense questioning or interrogation.”

And that’s not a bad thing, it was all in fun and I’m sharing it with you here. It’s about being a grandparent which we celebrate the second Sunday in September every year.

Grandma’s Briefs

Lisa Carpenter writes a blog called Grandma’s Briefs where she

shares my snippets, er, briefs on the good, bad, humorous, and heartwarming of being a grandmother, baby boomer, parent to adult children, wife, and writer.

One of the features on her blog is Grilled Grandmas, where she interviews other women who are both bloggers and grandmothers. Her blog challenges the stereotype of rocking chair grandmothers way past their prime in life.

a woman with her arms around 2 little girls on each side — *Establishing a bond with grandparents is great for kids in many ways.*
photo from Lightstock.com

Why talk about grandparenting?

Why would I talk about grandparenting on a medical blog? Health professionals consider the family a vital factor in health, both positive and negative. You probably know that family medical history contributes to physical health, but family interactions also play an important role in child development, learning, and emotional health.

Grandparents can play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. In some families, they are the caregivers; in others, they help make lasting memories through special visits.

Grandparents pass on family traditions and give children the fundamental sense that they are loved and valued.

Research has shown that when grandparents are involved with their grandchildren, even from a distance, all the generations are often much happier.
Building Bonds with Your Grandchildren

My grilling

When Lisa “grilled” me, I had two grandchildren. Since then I have had two more. So now I have two boys and two girls. The older two live near me so I see them often. The younger two lives several hundred miles away.

Some of Lisa’s questions challenged me to answer. Some answers I knew right away, others required reflection. For example, this question

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma?

my answer-

Not having had a role model. My grandmothers died before I was born, so I never experienced having a grandmother in my life.

This question was easy.

What is one thing (or more) you’re proud to say you do right as a grandma?

We (including the grandpa) offer advice and help when asked, but we don’t butt in, interfere, criticize, or make demands. We let the parents be the parents.

Lisa asked me to submit a few photos of me with my grandkids; perusing my photos sparked many happy memories.

Lisa’s final question was –

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma?

Learn the answer at Lisa’s post which you will find at this link-

Grilled Grandma: Grandma Aletha

The First-Time Grandmother’s Journal: Inspiring Prompts to Celebrate Your Experience with a New Grandchild

Lisa Carpenter wrote a book/journal about grandparenting. This beautiful guided grandmother’s journal will help you capture your thoughts, feelings, and memories as you embark on this thrilling, life-changing journey. (affiliate link, may earn a commission)

Read sample here

Taking Care of Your Grandchildren

Even though they are my grandchildren, I keep in mind that they are someone else’s children, even though the someone else is my child. I need to be mindful of their parenting plans and any special needs of the kids.

This article from Nemours Kids Health gives grandparents a refresher course in caring for children. Whether they are with you for just a few hours, several days, or live with you, this gives practical tips on keeping them healthy and safe when they are in your care. Here are some highlights.

It’s important to know a child’s medical history, including any allergies and any medicines your grandchild takes.

Always place infants younger than 1 year old on their backs to sleep to reduce their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Never put babies on their stomachs or their sides to sleep.

Babies and children should be in child safety seats that meet current standards. All kids younger than 12 years should ride in the back seat with the appropriate safety restraint.

See that your grandkids always wear a helmet when riding a tricycle or bicycle. Make sure that the helmet fits well. Be a positive role model (and protect your own head) by wearing your helmet too.

Supervision is always the best way to keep grandkids safe. But it’s also wise to childproof your home.

Washing hands well and often — particularly after going to the bathroom and before preparing or eating food — is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of any illness, from the flu to stomach bugs.

Offer your grandkids a variety of free-time activities to try. Turn off devices and TVs during meals and homework, and set a good example by limiting your own screen time.

Learn CPR

If you don’t already know CPR, consider taking a class or refresher course. CPR is done differently in children than in adults. Infants and children are more likely to suffer respiratory arrest -quit breathing- than cardiac arrest-heart stopping. Common causes include choking, drowning, and trauma. Sources for training include

American Red Cross
American Heart Association
your local schools’ adult education programs
local hospitals and medical training programs

sharing the HEART of healthy grandparenting

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Grandma Aletha

Lightstock-quality photos and graphics site- here.

(This is an affiliate link)

Magazine articles, television programs, and music playlists tell us that this is

“the most wonderful time of the year.”

That is until the extra work of shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, planning, and entertaining makes it the least wonderful time.

While most of us welcome the chance to celebrate with family and friends, sometimes those encounters create emotional tension and strain. With the sadness we feel when loved ones can’t be with us, either through distance or death, the season can become the worst of the year.

Prepare for stress

By anticipating these events and feelings, we can prepare ourselves for the physical and emotional stress of the holiday season, and find a way to enjoy the festivities with “hearts glowing.”

Here are links to resources with sound advice for confronting and conquering holiday challenges.

Plan. Make your list and check it twice. Being prepared for parties and presents and having help from family and friends can reduce last-minute stress.

Over-the-top holiday excursions can be stressful, which is not how you should be spending this joyful season. Focus on your holiday traditions — don’t worry about the rest.

Make time for friends, family and good cheer, and embrace relaxation when you can. Don’t neglect the value of sleep, either. Do all that you can to stick to a normal sleep schedule even around all the celebrations and traveling.

Avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, daytime napping and large meals before bed. These factors can interfere with a good night’s rest.
Mayo Clinic

The “No Bullish” Guide to Getting Through the Holidays

Set boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.

If you’re a “Yes Man/Woman” (someone who always says “yes” and has a hard time saying “no”), then you not only have to deal with the stress of planning for the holiday, but also the overwhelming pressure to please everyone since you’re the reliable person whom everyone depends on (or the schmuck whom everyone takes advantage of), which leads to internal feelings of guilt, exhaustion, anger, and resentment if you can’t carry out all the duties expected of you,

but then blame everyone else for not helping you (you probably also don’t feel comfortable asking for or accepting help, right?)
Freud and Fashion

11 Holiday Shopping Tips

Don’t shop ’til you drop
Sticking to your shopping list can help you avoid going off on a spree. It’s also smart to take a break between buys.

Yale University researchers have found that making a purchase can trigger what they call the “shopping momentum effect”—a psychological impulse to buy subsequent items. To counteract the effect, just walk away from the store or computer screen for a few minutes.

And no window-shopping on your way out.
Bank of America

Dealing With Grief

Accept your feelings — whatever they might be.

Everyone takes his or her own path in grief and mourning. Some may try to avoid sad feelings; others will be bathed in tears. Some feel bad that they aren’t up for enjoying a holiday; others feel guilt because they are feeling joy. However you feel, accept it.

And accept the inevitable ups and downs: You may feel peaceful one moment and gut-wrenchingly sad the next. Try to stay in tune with your own highest truth and you will know how to get through the holiday without judging yourself or others.
AARP

Enjoy “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Eddie Pola and George Wyle.
Arranged by Hawley Ades
Cantare Children’s Choir: Catherine Glaser-Climie
Ron Bennie, Accompanist

Post Images

Photos used in this post -compliments of the photographers at Pixabay

I took the cover photo of a grandfather and grandson at a local restaurant.

ANOTHER HOLIDAY POST FROM THIS BLOG

Simple Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

Holiday traditions often involve special foods and beverages, posing challenges for individuals managing medical conditions like diabetes, food allergies, and obesity. Emphasizing mindfulness in eating and understanding personal dietary restrictions can alleviate holiday stress and enhance enjoyment.

Keep reading

Sharing the HEART of the holidays

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

“Dwell” calmly during this busy season

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Using this affiliate link helps support this blog and my mission to share the heart of health wherever needed all over the world. Please join me.

Tag: relationships-family, marriage, parenting

Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting

updated September 2, 2024

Grandma’s Briefs

Why talk about grandparenting?

My grilling