WHERE ARE YOU ON THE GRANDPARENTS SPECTRUM(S)?

In writing hundreds of Grandparenting Articles, two books on Grandparenting, and researching innumerable articles, interviews, and Grandparent anecdotes, I have come up with the following observation.

“LIFE IS COMPLICATED, AND FAMILY LIFE IS A MULTIPLE OF COMPLICATED, AND EXTENDED FAMILY LIFE IS EXPONENTIALLY COMPLICATED. “

Let’s look at that backward since grandparenting comes later in life.

The average extended family in the United States consists of two parents, two children, and two sets of grandparents. The grandparents are typically retired and live close to their children and grandchildren. They often provide childcare and financial and emotional support to their family members.

Extended families are becoming increasingly common in the United States. This is due to several factors, including divorce and remarriage, the rising cost of living, increasing single-parent households, and the aging population. Extended families can provide several benefits for their members, including financial support, childcare, emotional support, and a sense of community.

However, extended families can also be challenging. They can be difficult to manage and sometimes lead to conflict. Communicating openly and honestly with family members is essential to resolve disputes.

Here are some of the benefits of extended families:

• Financial support: Extended families can provide financial support to their members in many ways. Grandparents may provide financial assistance to their children and grandchildren, or they may help to pay for childcare or other expenses.
• Childcare: Extended families can provide childcare for their members. Grandparents are often happy to help with childcare, and they can provide a loving and supportive environment for their grandchildren.
• Emotional support: Extended families can provide emotional support to their members. Grandparents can provide a sense of stability and security for their grandchildren and offer advice and support during difficult times.
• Sense of community: Extended families can provide a sense of community for their members. They can offer a place to belong and connect to others.

Here are some of the challenges of extended families:

• Difficult to manage: Extended families can be challenging to manage. It can be hard to coordinate schedules and activities, and it can be difficult to resolve conflicts.
• Conflict: Extended families can sometimes lead to conflict. This can be due to many factors, including different values, parenting styles, or expectations.
• Privacy: Extended families can sometimes invade their members’ privacy. This can be a problem if family members do not respect each other’s boundaries.

Overall, extended families can be a great source of support and love. However, it is crucial to be aware of the challenges that they can pose. Communicating openly and honestly with family members can help create a strong and supportive extended family.

Here are some tips for managing an extended family:

• Communicate openly and honestly with family members.
• Be respectful of each other’s boundaries.
• Be willing to compromise.
• Be patient.
• Remember that extended families are a work in progress.

You must honestly evaluate where you stand as a Grandparent with each of your extended family units and proceed” With Love and Empathy” in each situation appropriately. I am not saying to roll over and take a bunch of guff, but it is incumbent on us as grandparents to do all possible to create as good of a family unit as we can under the circumstances keeping this one thing in mind, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE GRANDCHILDREN!!!!

Thank You for being a Caring Grandparent.