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Advice & More March 2015

Life Now

Summer Fun with Grandchildren

By Dusty Reed

Memories for grandchildren hold a special heart space. Taking time for even just a few special projects can create memories to last a lifetime.

When I was a child, it was a great treat to go to my grandparents’ farm to stay for a few days. Grandpa was a semi-retired farmer and had plenty of free time to play with me. He taught me to play mumblety-peg, he made a rope swing hanging from a big tree in the back yard, he helped me create a terrarium out of a big pickle jar, he let me ride in the back of his pickup when he traveled to the field, and in the winter, he was the first to help me build a snowman.

My grandmother always seemed to be very busy with household chores, taking care of her chickens, working in the garden and cooking. She was a precious lady but did not take much time to play with me. I did get to help gather eggs in the hen house and helped pick berries from the garden.

Memories for grandchildren hold a special heart space. Taking time for even just a few special projects can create memories to last a lifetime.

Writing a diary, describing times with grandchildren, can be a special gift for them when they are older. Describing personal feelings, times they create laughter, some piece of wisdom they share, where time was invested – many little bits of happenings put in writing create imprinted realms of memories for both grandparent and grandchild.

One of our fun outings each summer when we traveled to Minnesota was taking our son to the turtle races. This was a vacation region and many were grandchildren visiting those who had cabins in the area, my parents included. There were several races held and the winners from each race then participated in a final Grand Champion race, which granted the winner an ice cream cone.

Our son is in his 20s now and he remembers many fun times with his grandparents, including rides in "Gopop's" boat. "Up, Gopop, up!” This meant to up the speed. When our son presented a eulogy for my dad, he referred to many of those endearing childhood memories.

Finding exceptional outings and projects, not just taking children to the playground or letting them sit in front of the television all afternoon, will help fill their memories most, even if, at first, they seem to object.

Each child is unique and getting to know them individually can give hints of how to encourage them to do something "unusual.” Today's children are often caught up in computer and hand-held games; it might be a challenge to get them interested in other projects but it is worth the effort.

Encouraging imagination by making paper dolls from old magazines and having two families with a grandparent creating one and the child the other can sometimes reveal happenings in the child's real home. This is a time to be aware and listen to how the child is playing the family roles.

There are many craft projects that are simple and offer creativity for children. Making homemade Play-Doh, finger paints, greeting cards for their parents or friends, drawing a picture of where they might like to travel someday… the possibilities are endless, and well worth the time.

Taking them to a small town fireworks display on the Fourth of July or to a rodeo would provide fun for everyone. Most children learn to enjoy fishing. My grandmother fried the first fish I caught in a lagoon in a nearby town and I was delighted, even though the fish was small and only provided about five bites to eat.

Many grandparents today are still in the work world but taking a weekend to give a grandchild special attention can be very rewarding to both grandparents and grandchild. To give quality time, it might be best to take just one grandchild for a weekend and rotate their visits so they each have a special "fun time" with their grandparents.

If their families live a distance away, starting with the oldest grandchild, invite them to come visit for a week. The next summer the next oldest grandchild can visit. This allows the youngest of the clan to still be included before they are grown up, unless grandchildren are numerous. In this case, it might be worth traveling to see them, staying in a rental nearby for a couple of weeks, and providing them with individual attention.

Recalling memories from one's childhood can help create fun outings and projects with grandchildren. Is there a place nearby to fly a kite? Going to a small county fair can be an exciting adventure for city children. Baking cookies together is always a good venture, whether it is with a grandson or a granddaughter. After they get to eat some of their creation, taking a few home to their parents, a friend or another relative helps them learn to share.

Maybe I am a bit old fashioned and others may think these projects will not work with modern-day children. My suggestion is to try them out and see what happens.

 

Meet Dusty