Grandparents: Here’s your friendly reminder to “spring forward” this Sunday. That applies to all the clocks in your house (at least the ones that don’t automatically update) and getting to church on time.
It also applies to your grandparenting commitment.
Springtime is a season of growth and renewal, fresh air and optimism. There are many different metaphors that are appropriate, and maybe this is a good time for all of us to tune in and use those as themes for our daily routine. Winter is only a season, but those few months of dark evenings and colder weather can wear on us and affect our outlook on life. There is a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) that can affect a person’s energy level, interest in activities, sleep habits, and sense of optimism.
Don’t we all want to be engaged, energetic, positive and interesting grandparents for our grandkids—as much as we can be?
If you’ve been feeling less than your best during the past few weeks or months, maybe this weekend (or even today) is a good opportunity to flip a switch and spring forward toward something better. Maybe the longer and warmer days will provide opportunities to be outside more and get the benefits of fresh air, go for walks, spend more time with friends, maybe start a new hobby or get more involved in a cause you care about.
It can also mean more positive investments in your grandkids.
Is it likely that they will also have a changing routine with the longer days? Maybe you can start planning a few hours with them at the park—or the golf course, your favorite fishing hole, the walking trail, a nearby arboretum, beach, picnic spot, zoo, berry patch, drive-in theater, and so on. Just go for a drive. Or it could be blowing bubbles, playing catch, or something else they enjoy in your own backyard—or theirs. Go somewhere interesting and take selfies. Maybe attending some of their games or school events will be more feasible for you now.
You get the idea. Start thinking of more ways to engage your grandkids as we move toward spring and summer. Maybe a good first step would be to talk with them and their parents to see what their schedules are, what’s changing in the coming weeks with warmer weather and maybe spring sports ramping up, and how you can fit in here and there and get some more special time with your grandkids.
Maybe that’s something you can even say to your grandkids, as one grandparent suggested:
“We may be changing our clocks, but I’m always on grandchild special time. That never changes.”
One more thought: Use other “national days” throughout the year to help you bond with your grandkids. For example, in addition to springing forward, the coming days will also bring us National Cereal Day and National Flapjack Day on March 7, National Peanut Cluster Day on March 8, National Meatball Day and National Barbie Day on March 9, National Johnny Appleseed Day (March 11), and the list goes on. Couldn’t most of those be used to connect with a grandchild or two in a fun and unique way? And there’s hundreds more.
What do you look forward to doing more with your grandkids this spring? Share a positive thought or two with other grandparents on our Facebook page here.
