What part does an elderly person play as a Grandparent in today's
world?
Today, in most of the families in India, both the parents are employed due to economic
necessity or due to the desire and willingness to work. So the children need someone to
look after them when the parents are not around. But that is not all. The elders should
take on the role of an active grandparent, and not only give the grandchildren love and
affection but also instil in them a sense of responsibility, moral values and teach them
to face the world and its realities. |
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What can one do to overcome the generation gap between the
grandparents and grandchildren?
While it is true that elders should correct the youngsters when they are wrong, what
happens invariably is that older people tend to keep on preaching. They must realise that
today's lifestyle is far removed from theirs and they should accept that. They should give
more independence to both their children and the grandchildren. This way the youngsters
will come to respect and love them. They should not expect affection on demand, they
should earn it! |
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When grandparents feel that their own children do not know what
is right for the grandchildren, can they interfere?
This is a mistaken presumption of elders, comparing the present times with their own. As
far as possible they should not interfere in the way in which the grandchildren are being
brought up. Their role should be only that of an advisor when advice is sought.
Infact in most families it is the grandparent who become the mediator between the parents
and the children. |
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What happens when the Grandchildren live far away?
In today's world, Indians have spread out far and wide and this has created a huge
physical distance between the grandparent and the grandchild. But they can always keep in
touch by telephone or by writing letters. In this context, e-mail is the greatest link.
Elders need not own a computer. There are internet (computer) centres all over India. It
is quite easy to learn basic computing and e-mail. providing
much needed self-assurance that their near and dear are only a few clicks away. |
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What else can an elderly person do to have a happy relationship
with the grandchild?
If they stay away from where their grandchildren live, they could invite them over as
often as it permits. Very young children are entertained easily by games, tasty bites and
old stories. Older children take pride in imparting knowledge about the world wide web to
the elders. Film music and Television programmes are also great equalizers.
A small gift once in a while which need not be expensive goes a long way in expressing
what words cannot. Elders should take care not to bore the youngsters with their health
problems. All this does not mean that they should never be strict. But a good
relationship invariably makes the elders earn the respect of the youngsters. So when an
advice is given it is taken with sincerity. |
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Is there any specific role for the grandparent to play in the
running of the family?
A daughter who becomes pregnant, a grandchild who becomes sick, happy moments in the
grandchildren's life are all times when the grandparents should be around.
Ceremonial rites and festive occasions in India are never complete without the
grandfathers and grandmothers, whose guidance is needed. In India, we all still believe
that the heart-felt blessings of elders go a long way in helping the grandchildren achieve
what they want in life.
In many families, grandparents take over the role of parents all over again by looking
after the grandchildren, taking them to school and attending to all their needs. Most
often, this creates a good rapport between the grandparent and the grandchild as
long as the elders don't mind it. |
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| Your grandchild is a bundle of joy! |
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Ideal
Gifts Grandparents can give a grandchild. |
Baby Toiletries |
| Crib |
| Walker |
| Books |
| Cassettes |
| Musical
Instruments |
| Clocks |
| Sports
Equipment |
| Cinema
Tickets |
| Sunglasses |
| Computer
Games |
| Dolls |
| Inexpensive
Cameras |
| School
Supplies |
| Bicycle |
| Wallet |
| Posters |
| Calculator |
| Duffel Bags |
| Photo Albums |
| Hobby
equipment |
| Exercise
Equipment |
| Key rings |
| Watches |
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