Grandparents: Are Your Grandkids Being Raised 'All Wrong'?

Are you the proud grandparent of a child whose parents are making what you see as the wrong choices? Being on this side of the deal isn't any easier than being a parent who is being criticized by grandparents. Though certain situations warrant a special kind of intervention, others are simply the parenting practices of the day. If your young grandchild is being looked after by a nanny during the day, if your offspring is convinced that laying the baby to sleep on its side is now the way to go, or if your daughter in law or son are carrying their baby in a baby-wearing contraption that looks slightly unsafe to you, it's probably time to let things go. 

Should your grandchild's parents be on drugs, or spanking to the point of abuse, it's time to intervene. Legal avenues that may award you custody are in place for that. 

In less extreme cases, you know that you raised your child the best you could. Your child chose a partner for themselves, and together they are raising their kid in the way they think is best. Should you instinctively recoil at some of their choices, perhaps ask them for book recommendations or read up online. Try to see their point of view and know that they are doing the best they can for your grandchild. 

If your child and their spouse are asking things of you that you can't provide, however, that's a different matter altogether. Putting boundaries in place is as appropriate for you as it is for your grandchild's parents. Let them know what you can and can't do, without beating around the bush, and without feeling guilt. 

Parents And Grandparents: A Powerful Team!

I was raised by a wonderful and forward-thinking mother, with loving grandparents by my side. I wouldn't trade in either for anything. When parents and grandparents are in disagreement and kids catch wind of that, everyone suffers. Emotionally-healthy parents and grandparents make a wonderful team, each with different roles to fulfill.

READ Pregnancy: How To Cope With Overbearing Grandparents-to-be?

Parents are there to guide a child through their day-to-day life, and grandparents are there to dote and play a supportive role. That's an awfully powerful combination! Don't let minor disagreements get in the way of something magical — at least to the child — and respect each other and your differences to support an amazing, developing human being. As long as everyone respects each other, even the issues that seem like a big deal now will work themselves out. At the end of the day, being loved is all that matters to the child.