

Though it can be fun to talk about what will be on the baby’s registry and what color the nursery walls will be, the most important discussions you can have with your children before the baby arrives are those that will open the lines of communication. The same is true for grandparenting.” Top Tips for Becoming a Grandparent Tip #1: Open the Lines of Communication before the Baby Arrives Duke, member of the National Advisory Council for the Jewish Grandparents Network, professor of psychology at Emory University and proud grandfather of nine, says, “There is a saying that babies do not come with instruction manuals. Mom is left wondering why Grandma can make the baby stop crying and she can’t?” Isay says.ĭr. If the baby stops crying, that’s very nice for the baby and for Grandma. “Imagine that a baby is crying and Grandma offers to hold the baby. Even soothing a crying baby can inadvertently cause tension. Lack of sleep and anxiety about raising a baby the “right” way can send new parents spiraling.

“When there’s a new baby in the house, the parents are completely on edge,” says Jane Isay, grandmother of four and author of Unconditional Love: A Guide to Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Being a Grandparent Today. Your desire to snuggle and spoil your grandchild may occasionally be at odds with your sleep-deprived child’s parenting plans. “That first moment…that first one was magical.”īecoming a grandparent certainly has its share of magical moments like this one, but it can also be a challenge to navigate your new role. “For me, it had been roughly 30 years since I held a newborn,” says Greg Kaiser. They wanted to support their daughter and begin bonding with their grandson as soon as possible. When they discovered that their daughter Jacqui was pregnant with their first grandchild, Greg and Danielle Kaiser of London, Ontario planned to book plane tickets to Jacqui’s hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey as soon as labor began. What to Expect When Your Child Is Expecting
#BABY CHECKLIST FOR NEW PARENTS HOW TO#
Growing into your new role as a grandparent may take some time, but being aware of some common boundaries for grandparents-and how to talk about them with your adult children-can deepen your bond with the new parent(s) and help establish a lifelong connection with your grandchild. This ideal state is achievable, though it requires communication, collaboration, understanding and a little bit of grace from everyone involved. In an ideal world, grandparents make life easier for the new family, and new parents experience a heightened level of appreciation for grandma as she takes on this new role. Many grandparents-especially grandmothers-play a crucial role in supporting families when a baby is born. It's the same team that brings you the Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards, helping you get the most for your money.Becoming a grandparent ranks near the top of the list of life’s most joyful moments. From little necessities like a baby nail file or a teething toy to big-ticket purchases like a great baby stroller, the GH Institute has rounded up its best-of-the-best products and packed them into this guide to the top baby registry items. We've consulted with parents, too, to make sure our recommendations are truly useful. Our experts have reviewed all of these products and feel confident about them. The Good Housekeeping Institute has made it easy to come up with top baby registry items. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by countless product options as you sift through information to try to determine what's safest, what actually works and what will last. So when faced with making your home baby-ready, you’ll want to buy the right gear. Little supplies like diapers and clothing aren't exactly optional either. At the very least, your baby needs a safe infant car seat for your vehicle and a secure baby crib to sleep in at home. When it comes time to welcome a new baby, there’s so much gear to buy and so many baby registry items to request, especially if you’re a first-time parent.
