A Message to my Grandchildren: Things I Want My Grandkids to Know
A Grandparent's advice for Grandchildren. They're so young and innocent. And I'm old and wise. Maybe. Anyway, I'm sending this message to my Grandchildren with the things I want them to know and remember.
A Message to My Grandchildren
So, I've been sitting here thinking about our little people and what I'd like to tell them.
I'm sending this message to my Grandchildren because there are important things - "advice from Grandparents" - I want them to know.
Maybe you, too, have thought about the important nuggets of truth, experiences and lessons, wisdom, and encouragement that you could share with your Grands.
Think about the things you'd like to share with YOUR Grandkids, advice you'd like to give them, or those all-important truths about being someone's Grandmother...
Being a Grandmoher is an Adventure, for sure!
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But first, there's this...
It starts here:
The Little Grands are spending the night with Grandma.
You're standing in the doorway watching them sleep.
Little Miss takes a deep breath and exhales softly.
Tears come as you remember your own children, so sweet, sleeping soundly, without a care in the world.
Seeing them like this reminds you of those days long ago, when you were the Mom, not the Grandma.
No matter how difficult your children were on a particular day, or how much they had annoyed you, you would stand there and watch them sleep.
And couldn't believe how lucky you were to be their Mom.
At that moment, their vulnerability was evident, and there again you could see the halo floating above their heads.
Isn't that the best? Watching them sleep? Then you fall in love with them all over again.
And you think:
Now instead of it being your children, it's your GRANDchildren.
How incredibly awesome it is to have the opportunity to know your grandchildren.
How did you get so lucky to have the best grandkids?
Little Miss & Mr. are funny munchkins.
They say hilarious things.
Their giggles are contagious.
Your heart melts when they look at you with those sparkling eyes and grin.
Then they squeeze you around the neck. They call you Gramma, Nana or Mimi and you feel their unconditional love.
And suddenly you're wrapped around their little fingers.
You want to hold them, protect them, and never let them grow up - which we all know is impossible.
But Life is a Roller Coaster
These littles are so innocent, sweet, and unaware of how harsh life can be.
They are also unaware of the truly magnificent things that are possible.
Life can be cruel and unforgiving.
It can be rewarding and amazing.
There will be times of disappointment and heartache.
There will be times of great joy!
No doubt they will face difficult situations during their lifetimes, and times of abundance and promise.
The least we can do for them is help prepare them for the day when we are no longer able to help them, defend them, or shield them from the outside forces.
And prepare them to appreciate and treasure the times of plenty.
We can help.
It's up to us to provide the tools and strength they will require when the unexpected, inevitable, challenging moments come their way.
It's up to us to teach them gratitude and appreciation for the good things in their lives.
The stability, courage, and confidence that come from having a strong family connection will be their protection.
The encouragement, acknowledgment of their accomplishments, and support for their endeavors will sustain them as they grow and find their way.
Knowing that they are never alone, always have someone on their side, and the love of their family can increase the probability of a successful, productive, happy future.
WeHaveKids.com shares thoughts on Grandparents and their role in a child's life.
What do you want to say to your Grandchildren?
Every Grandparent wants what's best for their Grandkids. I'm sure you do, too! What things would you like them to know? I've compiled my list here.
Take a look and see where you agree and where we might differ. Let me know in the comments! I look forward to hearing from you.
Here is the message to my Grandchildren:
Dear Grandchildren,
These are the things I'd like you to know...
Love
Know that you are loved unconditionally. Always. For as long as I live, you will be in my heart.
Kindness
Always show kindness and empathy.
People will be drawn to you when you are understanding, caring, and compassionate.
Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Help Others
You get what you give, so be helpful and encouraging to others.
Related: What We Can Learn from the Grandkids
Effort
Go all-in when you have a task to complete or a goal to achieve. Give 100% to any undertaking.
Be happy about successes and know you are capable.
Remember: finding the 12 ways it didn't work leads to the 13th way that it will.
Be Proud
Have pride in your accomplishments.
The prize is always sweeter when you've worked hard and scrambled to get there.
Be Humble
Admit when you make a mistake.
We are all human.
Start again and do it right next time.
Have Strength
When things go wrong, and they probably will at some point, be strong.
Be courageous.
Pick yourself up, dust off, and push ahead.
There will be highs and lows during your life.
With the love and support of your awesome family and the perseverance and strength you have inside, you will be able to handle whatever comes your way.
Learn
It never ends.
You will never know it all, even if you think you already do.
There's that "one more thing" that could tip the scales in your favor.
Don't miss out.
Be Open-Minded
Listen to advice from others, even if you don't agree with them.
Consider their opinions, but make your own decisions.
Be Independent
Choose your way.
You are in control of your own life.
You are the one to live with your choices.
Be Involved
Make the world a better place.
Go green, fight for what's right, support a cause.
Do what you can to leave your mark - - let them know you were here!
Find Happiness
Laugh. Enjoy your life. Have fun. Be happy.
Remember Family
Spend time with your family.
The love and support you have from them can't be measured.
Know Where You Came From
Learn about your connections, traditions, and history.
Love God
Find a way to worship and love your God. Have faith in Him through all things.
My final words:
Of course, this is only a partial list of the things I want my Grandkids to know.
Each family is unique, so add your own words of wisdom, advice, and love to this list.
Share with your littles.
Having Grandchildren is like having a second chance to get it right.
You want to enjoy your time with them and want them to enjoy their time with you.
Pass on your wisdom to them, but also learn from them.
Encourage them and support them.
Send a message to your Grandchildren.
Most of all, let them know just how much you love them.
Today, tomorrow, and always.
What do you want YOUR Grandkids to know?
Tell me in the comments below.
Keep Passing Down the Love.
Grandma's Tip of the Day: If you have hiccups, ask someone to press the protruding skin in front of your ear canals while you drink a glass of water.
Your hiccups will subside within a minute.
Other posts you may like:
You know you're a Grandma when...
On Becoming a Grandmother for the First Time.
My son is 32 years old. I have kept clipped articles over the years from newspapers, magazines, his school work reports and more. Topics range from: our Lord's love, being a good friend, helping others, being your true-self, avoiding life's temptations of drugs and alcohol, enjoying nature, growing up regarding body changes to dating to relationships, death, and much more. They are still kept in a folder to one day give to my future grandchildren when appropriate..
Simply LOVED this post.
Great ideas but I would have liked it better if you would have started with love God first Instead of last. Through Jesus our grands can have all the attributes you desire.
@Robbie, not all are believers.
Hi Kim,
I’m not the best at putting my feelings into words. When he reads our letter on his 18th birthday, whether we are here or not, we want to make sure nothing is left unsaid.
So, thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful suggestions!
These a very helpful!
A very proud grandparent!!
Hello Kim,
Thank you for sharing all of your insight and suggestions for being a good grandmother. I am currently working on a book for my granddaughter's 18th birthday and wondered if there is a way to print your article without getting all of the commercials? I would love to include your thoughts in my book if that is okay? It is just a handmade gift from me to my granddaughter.
Acknowledging your shortcomings as a parent and becoming a better, loving, understanding, empathetic grandparent whose love is never ending.
Would love to be able to print those wonderful suggestions for life.
@Connie Russell, Screen shot and print
These are all very special things to share. First and foremost should be that God is always there for us. Trust in the Lord and everything else will fall in place.
I love this! I have pondered these very things when it comes to my grandchildren and made a list. Then, I used Mixbook and put together a photo book entitled "What Grandma Wants You to Know." My grandkids love it!
I want my grandkids to know even though I cant see them (estranged, not my choice) i think of them day and night and love them with all i have and miss them every second. I know one day we will be together again and i just hope you know how much i try and see you guys every day. One day you will be able to be in my arms again . i love you both.. Your gramma john
I understand your pain.. we are in the same boat...
We are there too. Fighting in court for access. Breaks my heart every day to be missing him this much.
@Dianne Jensen,
Same here. We miss him so much. Prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to write this. I look forward to reading more. I am in charge of my two grands age 2 and seven months the majority of the day while my sons at work. He is a single dad and they live with us. It's a new way of doing things, for sure. .
Hi Kimberly,
I have 5 grandchildren ranging in ages 3-21. I've been thinking a lot about writing letters to them & I must say that reading yours brought tears to my eyes & have me inspiration. There's so many stories, traditions, customs, etc, that I would like for them to know & you have helped me to get started. Through this time of the corona virus pandemic, life is so unpredictable. When my mom passed 3 yrs ago, she had 22 grandchildren & 35 great grandchildren. Everyone of them were very fortunate to know her. I want to make sure my grandchildren get the same opportunity. Thank you so much for your insightfulness.
I think since we live in a time when many love only themselves they should be taught to love, respect and truly care about others. Up close to the top of my list is that they honor their parents ( our children) so things will go well with them in life. We can do this by always backing up what their parents teach them, and help in force what they have been told. I never allow my grandchildren to talk back or whine at their parents.
They seem to always listen a little better when Grandpa or Grandma says it. I also like to challenge my grandkids
to do a little more than they think they can do, I always tell them how strong they are or how smart they are, and that I know they can do it. Whether it's hiking or swimming or playing a game or figuring out a problem.
But I think up at the very top of the list would be to "be"
rather than say the one they know will always love them
no matter what, the one who will take time to just enjoy
them and have fun, and the whose company, friendship
and home makes them feel at ease.
Hi Kimberly,
Very good advice for grands. I will be grandma soon and have thought about this very topic many times over. The first thing I would want my babies to know is there is a God and He can provide everlasting life. There are many other chacacter traits I would love to see in my grands such as kindness, honesty, politeness and being compassionate. I want them to love their family fiercely, love learning, and love themselves. Thank you for your list, made me think of me parents and how they may feel about my children.
Your post made me cry. I too am a grandmother ...I go by the name Nanny after my maternal grandmother. My littles at this moment are a month away from being 4 and 1. I would leave them your words of wisdom but add always put God first in everything you do. And 2nd you can come to Nanny about anything. My children know they can call and talk to my mom , their Maw Maw, about anything and that is what I want Maddie Grace and Titus Haddon to know from me! God bless you!!
I agree with your additions. Thank you!
One of my grandsons told me about being here for a short stay:
1 your house is like staying at a fancy hotel.
Because it’s always clean & the bed smells nice.
The other thing he told me is that it’s peaceful here.
He has 2 loving parents & a lovely home but nothing is ever predictable because his mom is bipolar. Out of the mouths of babes.I remember my grandparents home feeling like a refuge. I was so grateful to share that with our grandkids.
I want my Grand kids to be kind to all living beings people and all animals . I also want them to learn to say I Love you every time they leave from our house or their home because you just never know . My parents never said I Love you until suddenly my father in law passed away and I never got to tell him I Loved him. So after that I tell everyone that I care about that I love them.
Ally M
Kindness is something kids can learn and practice from a very young age. And I agree with you about expressing your love for your family. It's something you will never regret doing! Thanks for your comments!
Lead by example is the most important. Thanks for your words. They will go to my grandchildren AND my great grandchildren..
Thanks, June. I'm glad you found this helpful. You're right! Being a good example goes a long way!
Oh how I loved this post! In fact, I love your blog! The post was so we'll written and heart felt.
Thanks so much, Sylvia. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
I love this Kimberly! Unfortunately, not all children have such a loving and positive grandmother as you. I feel blessed to have my grandbabies and I know that they know how much their Grammy loves them. Shared your post x 4 ♥
This list is incredible1 I love every single point and I hope (one day - kids got to be out of the house) to share this with my grandkids.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Wonderful advice!
Thanks for stopping by, Nancy!
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Amy!
This is lovely. It truly touched my heart. I tell my grands all the time that I wish there was a button I could push and take them back to 18 months and then we begin again. They grow up so fast and they melt your heart with every smile and every tear. I loved this post.
Thanks, Clearissa. They grow up fast, don't they?
Beautiful advice from a wise and loving grandmother!
I don't know how wise I am, but loving, yes. 🙂 Thanks, Lori.
This is a great list of advice. I love the picture of you with them. Adorable.
Thanks, Cathy.
Enjoyed reading your post. My grandkids are my life and so glad we are close.
Glad to hear you are close with your Grands. Thanks for stopping in.
This is a great list. There is nothing like grandchildren .
Thanks, Victoria.
I love this so so much! The one thing we have that nobody can take is wisdom, and I feel like its so important to share it.
Thanks, yes.
You're right, Lisa!
What a wonderful list of wisdom! Here are some things I learned from my grandma. I hope you and your grandkids have many more wonderful years together!
What a lovely and wonderful post. It gives me such good insight into my mom’s eyes as a grandmother and made me tear up a bit.
Thanks, Julie! I wish I would have had the same insights when I was in the middle of parenting myself. A change in perspective sometimes reveals what's actually important.
Love this. Your grand kids are blessed to have you as their grandma. I don't have a strong emotional connection with my grandparents (and even with my own parents). We are not estranged or anything. But, the emotional stuffs are lacking in our family. I have learned it from my extended family of friends and people I met at church though (and from reading blog like this). I hope to pass it down to my own family one day.
You're right, Herlina. Having a close family has been such a blessing. I feel fortunate to have that now. I grew up far away from my Grandparents and never really had that connection - back then there wasn't an internet, facetime, skype, etc. to help with long-distance grandparenting. Being a strong support for my grands is very important to me. You won't regret the effort you make to see this happen in your own family.
Great tips and advices! I am not a grandma yet but I will surely remember this. As I thought them myself to my kids. Nice blog.
Hey, Theresa. Grandparents generally want the same things as the parents do - to see the kids thrive and be successful, kind humans. Thanks for stopping by!
Sweet post. I don't have grandkids yet but I probably have a list a mile long on what I would want for them. Great photos as well. Pinning
Thanks so much, Carrie. Appreciate the support!
I went on a retreat in high school and my dad wrote me a letter, there was one bit of advice that I've tried to carry with me since then, "if something doesn't feel right, then it's probably wrong". I hope he passes that little piece of wisdom on to my daughter some day.
Thanks for the beautiful message.
Your Dad sounds like a wise man. Thanks for sharing, Suz!
Every word touched my heart. Thank you for sharing what is in MY ?
Thanks, Martha!
They are adorable. <3
Thanks, Paula. Glad you stopped by!
This is absolutely an exquisitely written blog. I have a 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter and another one on the way. This little sweet pea is the joy of my life. Her giggles, passion, and excitement for life are infectious and exhilarating! I think you have everything on the list that one hopes to impart to their grandkids.
Awe, thanks Ellen! Enjoy those littles - they don't stay that way for long!
I loved finding your blog! We so need more grandmas writing about what they want for their grandkids! Makes me smile.
Thanks, Amber! Glad you enjoyed!
This is for Elle, my first granddaughter. Above is all great advice, so here is one more.....be strong, be a boss, but a kind boss. Lead by example. I hope you are always smiling and look for the good in everything. I love you as big as the world. Read this to your baby sister Ivy and your baby cousin a Taytum. Tell them how much they are loved too.
Mom Mom
Hi, Karen.
Very good advice. It's a wish we have as Grandmothers, isn't it? To see our Grands happy and strong and for them to know they are loved... And passing it down to little sisters and cousins is a great idea, too! Thanks!
Very sweet!