Grandparenting and the Church
Read: Proverbs 17:6
It has been 4 years now that I have been a proud grandparent…….really
fun, cool, and a realization that there is a REASON why parents of
young children need to be young!
One set of two are in metropolitan New Orleans (thanks, Facetime) and
the other is right here in the Grosse Pointes.
They are all really great and energetic and have very separate
distinct personalities.
The respective parents of the grandchildren are loving, engaged,
caring, smart, and focused on their offspring, but also have active
successful careers. Their parenting styles respond appropriately to
their child’s personality, and with each level of development, they
adjust and mold to the new characteristics. As a grandparent,
watching slightly from afar, it is quickly apparent that one, same,
“management” style applied to the three would be a disaster, or a
least not in the best interest of each distinct child.
Of course, as the grandparent (and happy Uncle Ben and Aunt Chris),
we are allowed to have a more flexible and fun supportive influence
(with some consideration of the parent’s wishes).
One commonality between the two parenting families, are their active
church affiliations. Both are Methodist churches, with the two
churches having approaches that are tuned into the characteristics of
their individual communities. Both congregations are of moderate
persuasions.
Regardless of the two Church’s methodology, the fact that the
grandchildren are getting some deeply-rooted religious philosophical
life guidance is the crucial consideration. Regularly seeing a
community of all ages worshiping, learning together, and giving-back
as a group will have huge positive influence on their entire lives.
The face-to-face appropriate interactions (counterpoint to less
face-to-face time in today’s world) will help make them comfortable
with themselves, with other people, and more effective, caring, and
productive citizens.
You never know, as a parishioner, the incidental, but potentially
huge influence, you might have with a child just by being a part of
Christ’s church.
Dave DeWitt
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