Key Takeaways:

Importance of Grandparents: Grandparents provide emotional stability, a sense of continuity, and resilience-building for grandchildren.

Building Relationships: Key strategies include discovering the grandchild's interests, participating in their milestone events, and documenting family histories.

Respect and Boundaries: Grandparents must respect the parenting styles and boundaries set by parents to avoid conflicts.

Dealing with Technology: Collaboration with parents on screen time rules is essential, alongside encouraging non-screen-related activities.

Supporting Special Needs: Grandparents should educate themselves about neurodiversity and adapt their interactions to meet the needs of their grandchildren.

Notable Quotes:

"A key component of resilience is having an adult in your life that I've referred to as a charismatic adult, someone from whom you can draw strength." – Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg

"Your job as a grandparent is to celebrate diversity, to recognise that, for example, ASD affects one in every 100 Australians." – Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg

"The most important thing is to remain neutral. You can't take sides. You've got to prioritise the wellbeing of the children." – Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg

"What grandparents should never do is undermine parental authority, offer unsolicited advice, criticise parental choices." – Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg

"The birth of a grandchild results in a sort of heartfelt, unconditional love that actually is an equal sequel to what they felt for their own children." – Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg

Resources:

Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg’s Book: Grandparents

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

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