30+ Worst Mistakes Grandparents Can Make

As a grandparent, you want to do what you can to maintain a healthy, growing relationship with your children and form a bond with your new grandchild. However, it’s a new role, and that can be intimidating. Luckily, we’ve gathered some of the tips grandparents have shared on what to do and what to avoid.

Have Some Patience

It's understandable to be excited to see your new grandchild right away. Not to mention, you might want to see the person who gave birth as well to check in! Don't forget that there's a flip side to all this, though.

Having a child physically takes a huge toll on the body, not to mention all the emotions that come with becoming a parent. So, you'll want to make sure you remember that patience is a virtue if you don't meet your newest family member right after their birth.

Pushing for More

When a couple decides to add a new member to the family, that decision carries a lot of weight. You probably remember all the planning that came with having your own child!

That being said, with all of those moving parts in motion, there's a lot going on that even you, as one of the spouse's parents, probably don't know about. Whether they want to have more kids or don't, the pressure from parents to provide more grandchildren can be well-intentioned but ultimately detrimental.

Insisting on Certain Names

Another decision that's really up to the parents is what they name a child. Of course, they might ask for your opinion or even want your input on the decision. In general, it's best to wait until they ask for it.

While insisting on a certain family name or continually suggesting one they've decided against might seem like a healthy discussion among family members, it might start to feel like pressure or butting in on a decision they're excited to make.

Telling Them How to Parent

As a grandparent, it's easy to feel like the expert. After all, by then, you've raised your own children into adulthood! Don't worry, either. There will definitely be times when they'll ask for your expertise as they learn their own way.

However, it's important to accept that they'll do things a little differently from you. It's nothing personal; it's just that every parent has their own style, and new parents need the room to develop that.