By Nicole Long, MSW, LICSW
CEO of Old Colony Elder Services
National Grandparents Day is a special day dedicated to honoring grandparents and recognizing the important roles they play in our families and communities. It is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which falls on September 13q this year.
Through their guidance, life experiences, unconditional love, and encouragement, grandparents often help shape the lives of their grandchildren while providing comfort, support, and cherished memories. Grandparents who live in another state or country can stay connected with their grandchildren through phone calls, video chats, email, and social media. Some grandparents live nearby and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren regularly, whether by visiting often or caring for them after school until a parent returns home from work. Some even live with their grandchildren and provide full-time care. Regardless if they live near or far, one thing is for certain: they care about their grandchildren’s well-being.
When parents are unable to raise their children, grandparents are often the ones who step up to take care of their grandchildren and provide them with a sense of security. They once again become responsible for daily activities such as preparing meals, helping with homework, attending sports and other activities, and managing busy schedules.
With a new school year under way, below are five tips to help grandparents transition routines to support back-to-school schedules for their grandchildren:
Set expectations. For grandparents raising grandchildren, setting a schedule helps set expectations for everyone in the household. This way, grandchildren will know what to do when they get home from school or activities. They know what time dinner is, when homework should be completed and when it’s time for bed. Having a routine not only helps keep grandchildren on track but also helps grandparents better manage their time to keep stress levels to a minimum.
Calendars are a critical tool. Writing everything down on a wall calendar is one of the best ways to keep track of school projects, due dates, after-school activities, sports, medical appointments, and much more. Keep the wall calendar in a central location where anyone can check it. You may also want to maintain a calendar on your phone/device so you can make updates when you’re away from home and set reminder alerts.
Planning meals and snacks. With all the juggling involved in managing school, homework, and daily activities, planning meals and snacks ahead of time is imperative. Choose a day of the week to plan out meals. Jot them down and at the same time, add the ingredients for each meal to your grocery list. Be sure to plan for snacks as well, to ensure fresh fruit and other nutritious options are on hand for the week. Keep the grocery list near the refrigerator so you can easily add items as needed. Don’t want to bring a paper list to the store? Consider taking a picture of the list with your phone before heading out the door.
Ask for assistance. When everyone in the household pitches in, it becomes a team effort. Consider asking grandchildren to help with age-appropriate tasks, such as setting the table for dinner. The oldest can set out the tableware, while the youngest can be in charge of placing a napkin by each plate. By working together, grandchildren not only learn how to complete household tasks but how to work together as a team.
Everything in its place. Grandparents who care for their grandchildren full-time are often “on the clock” from the moment the day begins. With busy schedules, every minute counts, so setting out essentials like keys, wallets, backpacks, water bottles, shoes, and other everyday items the night before can help mornings run more smoothly. Encouraging grandchildren to put their belongings in a designated spot each evening also helps build lifelong organizational habits.
While grandparents are often a source of strength and stability for their grandchildren, they need support of their own. Access to helpful resources, community programs, and a strong support network can make a meaningful difference as they navigate the rewards and challenges of raising their grandchildren.
Old Colony Elder Services has a Family Caregiver Support Program that empowers grandparents raising grandchildren by providing resources and support to help with caregiving. OCES provides one-on-one support to grandparents and creates a personalized plan outlining available resources appropriate to their caregiving situation.
Learn more about how OCES’ FCSP helps navigate one of life’s challenging but most rewarding jobs. Visit ocesma.org or call 508-584-1561.
About the Author: Nicole Long is the Chief Executive Officer of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES). Founded in 1974, OCES is a private, non-profit organization proudly serving greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.
