3 Tips For Babysitting As A Grandparent

Being close to your grandchildren is one of the greatest blessings of being grandparents. Spending time together creates lasting bonds that both of you will cherish for a lifetime. If your grandchildren are young and you haven’t been in parent-mode for years, you may feel nervous. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make babysitting easier for everyone.

To help you see just how this can be done, here are three tips for babysitting as a grandparent.

Prepare Yourself Physically And Mentally

Caring for young children can be a lot of hard work. Many grandparents forget how tiring caregiving can be, even for a few hours. Before babysitting, prepare mentally and physically for what’s ahead.

Physically, you’ll likely be up on your feet a lot and having to pick things up off the floor, including your grandkids. So to help your body be ready for this, it’s a good idea to do some stretching before you begin babysitting. This will prepare your body for stress and prevent injury. Mentally prepare by thinking through how to handle tough situations, like emotions or separation from parents.

Grandparents: Safety Comes First

Just as safety is a top priority for you in your home or senior living community, you should be sure that you’re putting the safety of your grandkids as the top priority as you babysit. While you might know what was considered safe when raising your kids, current advice may differ.

Things like the installation and use of car seats, advice around safe sleep, and the use of medications may be different now than when your own kids were younger. Before caring for your grandkids, educate yourself to ensure their safety.

Try To Stick To Their Rules And Routines

Grandparents should respect the rules and routines set by parents while enjoying one-on-one time with grandkids. Your grandkids will thrive when they’re able to stick to their routines and your children will trust you more as a caregiver as you follow the family rules they’re put in place.

If you’re babysitting soon, use these tips to prepare. They’ll help ensure a fun and safe time together.