From our stock of OOPS - (Officially Out Print Selection)-
You Alone as Grandparent Play a Vital Spiritual Role
Whether you have one, two, or ten grandchildren, Debra Evans will help you understand what you alone can do for your grandchildren and your adult children. As one grandparent to another, she offers practical advice, information, encouragement, and resources that will make you a better grandparent. She'll show how you as a Christian grandparent can nurture your grandchildren spiritually in a variety of ways.
Some of the topics you'll find in Ready or Not, You're a Grandparent include
supporting the parents before birth, including an update on current childbirth methods
greeting the baby at birth and mothering the new mother
improving intergenerational communications with your adult children as well as the grandchildren
nurturing your grandchildren as they grow, including sharing your Christian faith with them
Debra Evans is a mother, wife, and grandmother as well as a teacher of grand parenting classes, childbirth educator, and writer. Her books include Kindred Hearts, Christian Parenting Today Answer Rook, and Beauty and the Best. She and her family make their home in Texas.
Contents
1 Ready or Not, You're a Grandparent!(A new generation revives the diminishing role of grandparents in the life of the family.)
Grandparents in the Spotlight
What Only Grandparents Can Offer
Using This Book
GRAND PARENTING DURING PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH, AND NEW-BABY STAGES
2 Pregnancy and Childbirth Today (Grandparents may be surprised by changes in understanding and practice during pregnancy and childbearing.)
Pregnancy and Prenatal Development
Supporting a Healthy Prenatal Environment
Fifty Years' Changes in Childbirth: A Brief History
The Transitional Era: 1940-1965
The Technological Era: 1965-1990
The Information Era: 1990 and Beyond
3 Greeting Your Grandchild at Birth(Grandparents find they can be of assistance from the very beginning of their new grandchild's life.)
Birth: A Family Event?
Becoming Acquainted
Unexpected Outcomes
4 What New Parents Need (and Want)(To provide loving support, grandparents need to understand the life stresses facing new parents today.)
Understanding Your Children's Stress Sources
A Change in Perceptions
Recognizing New Parents' Concerns
Responding with Your Support
5 Mothering the Mother(Grandparents who are invited to make an extended visit when the new baby comes home can be a vital support to the new mother.)
What "Doulas" Do — and Don't Do
The Learning Period
Planning Your Stay
The "Baby Blues" and Postpartum Depression
Seven Simple Suggestions for Managing Your Time
When You Can't Be There
6 Supporting Feeding Time: Breast or Bottle(Here are some practical ways that grandparents can be helpful, whether the new mother chooses to breast-or bottle-feed.)
Breastfeeding Basics
Negative Comments Worth Avoiding
Bottle-feeding Basics
Promoting a Comfortable Feeding Environment
Especially for Nursing Moms
What About Pacifiers and Thumb-sucking?
BECOMING THE GRANDPARENT YOUR KIDS WANT YOU TO BE
7 Sharing Your Concerns(These tips on intergenerational communication (preventing and resolving conflict, establishing boundaries, healing broken-down communication) are helpful for all parents ... even before the grandchildren arrive.)
Setting Limits
Improving Communication Skills
Conducting a Family Meeting
Using Active Listening
Establishing Verbal Boundaries
Confronting Conflict Constructively
A Time to Forgive
8 Promoting Your Grandchild's Health and Safety(A practical refresher course on making your home child-safe and yourself the most competent, prepared baby-sitter a parent could dream of.)
Baby-sitting Basics
At Your House
Be Prepared
First-Aid Supplies
Medical Emergency Consent Form
Caring for a Child with a Fever
When You Need to Give Medicine
What to Do in Case of Accidental Poisoning
Obtaining Immediate Medical Help
SHARING YOURSELF WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN
9 Staying Close, No Matter What(Shared experiences and time together nurture the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Here's practical advice for all of us, including long-distance grandparents and those whose family circumstances have been altered by divorce or remarriage.)
Building the Bond
Unconditional Love
Long-distance Grand parenting
Sight & Sound
Reading & Writing
Well-planned Visits
Facing Family Changes
When Your Child Divorces
When Your Child Wants to Return Home
When You Are a Single Grandparent
10 Making Memories Together(You can strengthen your family bonds with these wonderfully practical ideas for celebrating birthdays and holidays, having family reunions, and taking family trips.)
Birthdays: Making Your Grandchild's Day Special
Family Reunions
The Family Table
Giving Gifts They'll Enjoy and Appreciate
Treats for Babies and Toddlers
Preschoolers' Gift Boxes
Celebrating All Year Long
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Resurrection Sunday (Easter)
Mother's Day
Father's Day
Grandparents' Day
All Saints' Day
Thanksgiving
Advent
Christmas
New Year's Eve & Day
Vacationing and Travelling Together
Making Travel Easier (and Safer)
For Those Special Trips
11 Leaving a Lasting Legacy(What do you want to leave your grandchildren? Here's a wealth of suggestions on how to create a lasting record of your family history and, even more importantly, how to give your grandchildren a spiritual legacy, nurturing their growing faith in God.)
