Today, grandparents play a very important role in caring for grandchildren. They are a fundamental pillar to promote an adequate work and family reconciliation for parents. But, beyond grandparents who stay with the children for a few hours a day, there are also cases in which their grandchildren directly live with them.
For various reasons, grandchildren settle indefinitely in their grandparents' house. This coexistence increases the burden and responsibility, since they no longer have to take care of or supervise the children on a regular basis, but instead become the ones in charge of their upbringing and education full time.
For this situation to be successful, it is essential to know how to set limits for children, so that they do not become capricious. You also have to take it easy, because the energy and physical capacity of grandparents is not the same as when they were parents.
The Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG) prepared a decalogue of the "kangaroo grandfather" where they cite practical advice in order to facilitate the care of grandparents for grandchildren. Although this focuses on specific care, many points can be extrapolated to the coexistence between children and the elderly in a stable way.
The first recommendation of the SEGG is to do what you can and not overload yourself with work. Related to this maxim, it is important not to neglect your own health. Age takes its toll and it is important to know the limits of abilities, both physical and cognitive. Staying in good shape is key, by exercising, eating a healthy diet and stimulating your mind.
Establishing good communication with the children's parents is essential, but it is also essential to do so with the children themselves. It is convenient to find an intermediate point between imposing and "being an ogre" and being too permissive and overindulging them, because that way we will only manage to spoil our grandchildren. Setting limits and establishing rules is necessary.
The SEGG also advises reserving your own time and space, practicing activities that you like and reserving rewarding moments of leisure. To be able to take care of your grandchildren, you have to feel good. In fact, it is important to enjoy the grandchildren and the time shared with them. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen your ties, feel active and, in addition, combat unwanted loneliness so widespread in the elderly.
Another point that the SEGG refers to is not feeling guilty if you cannot perform certain tasks as before. Likewise, they appeal to carry out activities with the grandchildren that suit you and are rewarding for all. In addition to routine tasks like taking them to school, bathing them, doing their homework... You also have to find moments of fun like playing a board game or going to the park together.
