The Session: 7 Essentials For Grandparenting Your Grandchildren, from Focus On The Family

1. Understand Your Impact Potential

Grandpa or grandma, you are second only to parents in your potential to influence your grandkids spiritually.

If you haven’t thought about your impact potential before, you’re not alone. Many Christian grandparents are missing important opportunities because they haven’t seen the possibility—nor the responsibility—that grandchildren bring. We rightly see parents as first both in responsibility and potential to impact the spiritual growth of children.

2. Clarify Your Role

Whether we are one of six or by ourselves in this spiritual‐impact role, the mandate is clear: passing on faith to our grandkids is our duty before God! He commands us to teach two generations, not just one.

3. Model a Life of Goodness

If we have been obedient followers of Christ, it only makes sense that in the grandparent years, we are more like Him than we have ever been. Rather than becoming more cynical and cranky, we ought to become more gracious and godly. Doing so is vital: our children and grandchildren will largely base their impression of Jesus upon what we show Him to be through our daily lives. Don’t ever underestimate the fact that how you live your life will impact your grandkids. (Phil’s funeral)

4. Create Great Relationships With the Parents

Parents are the doorkeepers of the relationships with the grandkids, as they should be. But that relationship door sometimes slams in the face of grandparents. Divorce slams it. Political differences slam it. So do different spiritual paths. It’s slammed by wrong decisions, unkind words said in anger, or overreactions—sometimes by the parent, sometimes by the grandparent.

5. Balance Grace and Truth

We best represent Jesus to our families when we balance grace and truth. John 1:14 describes Him as “full of grace and truth.” It really means “full of grace and full of truth;” He was the complete embodiment of both.

6. Adapt to Your Grandkid’s World (This should sound familiar)

Last week when she came to visit, I told her, ‘if you can’t put your phone down, I’m taking you home!’ And a few minutes later, I caught her playing again—so I took her home.”

That grandma thought she was doing a good thing by being strict with her granddaughter, but I’m pretty certain she injured the relationship instead. You see, she wanted the little girl to enter “grandma world”—sit at the kitchen table, and talk over tea. What if she would have said instead, “Help me learn about this game that you like to play so much on your phone, and then afterward, let’s sit at the table and just talk?” The granddaughter would have felt honored, the relationship preserved, and the two of them would have enjoyed tea together There is no greater focus for the second half of life than that!

7. Find Your Greatest Life Purpose

There is no greater focus for the second half of life than that! Life’s greatest purpose is simple: to see our descendants in heaven.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: When Our Adult Children Walk Away From The Faith

By Pamela Henkelman of FamilyChristian.com

Parent Feelings When Their Children Turn From the Faith

• Grief
• Confusion
• Fear
• Relational Depression

Parents Should Prioritize:

• Love
• Empathy
• Open Communication
• Continue to be an Example
• Shame and Failure: Don't let shame paralyze you. It's important to address these feelings and remember that your child's choices are ultimately their own.
• Fear and Anxiety: It's natural to worry about your child's future and well-being, but try to channel that worry into prayer rather than letting it control you.

Parents Should Focus on Maintaining a Healthy Relationship:

• Pray for Your Child: Continue to pray for your child's spiritual journey, seeking God's guidance for both of you.
• Deepen Your Faith: Use this as an opportunity to deepen your own relationship with God and strengthen your faith.
• Seek Support: Connect with other parents who have experienced similar situations. Sharing experiences and finding support can be incredibly helpful.
• Live Your Faith: Continue to live your life according to your beliefs, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ.

Focus on Your Own Spiritual Growth:

• Pray for Your Child: Continue to pray for your child's spiritual journey, seeking God's guidance for both of you.
• Deepen Your Faith: Use this as an opportunity to deepen your own relationship with God and strengthen your faith.
• Seek Support: Connect with other parents who have experienced similar situations. Sharing experiences and finding support can be incredibly helpful.
• Live Your Faith: Continue to live your life according to your beliefs, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ.

Trust in God's Plan:

• God's Sovereignty: Remember that God is sovereign and has a plan for your child's life, even if it's not what you expected.
• Patience and Perseverance: Be patient and persistent in your prayers and love for your child. Trust that God is working.

Focus on the Future: Don't dwell on the past or allow bitterness to take root. Focus on the present and trust that God will guide you both.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Tips for Parenting Twins

Scripture: Genesis 25:22-26

The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

Ohio has a special connection with twins. It’s the Twins Day Festival at Twinsburg, OH the first weekend of Aug. This year was the 50th Twins Day. Twins & multiples come from all over the world. It’s estimated that over 2000 twins and multiples came this year. So I thought it would be fun….

Facebook Comments

JULIE

Make sure each person's their own person. You have to share so much. I had my first birthday party alone at 21. First time I felt like my own person. I don't know what it is like to have older or younger siblings. Find something unique for each twin that you can celebrate them in. Also understand not all twins are super close. There are a lot of twins who don't have that super close bind. (Julie & her twin are not close. She said they had totally different personalities)

CHELSEY & NICOLE (SCOTT’S COUSINS)

Being twins definitely came with some unique dynamics. Growing up, there were times we were treated as a “set,” which could be fun but also made it important to carve out our own identities and space. As we got older, we naturally grew into our own personalities and interests, but still had that built-in support system of always having someone who understood. For parents of twins, we’d say: try to encourage individuality early on—different activities, different friends if they want, even just little things like letting them choose their own clothes. At the same time, don’t stress if they want to stick together—there’s a comfort in that bond too. And patience is huge, because raising two kids the same age is busy, but the upside is they always have each other.

Parenting Tips:

• Routines and Schedules: Establish consistent routines for feeding, sleeping, and playtime to help manage the demands of two babies.

Parenting Twins

• Parenting twins can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. Focus on developing routines, seeking support, and treating each child as an individual. Prioritize individual attention, encourage their unique interests, and communicate openly about their individual needs and development.

Practical Tips for Parenting Twins:

• Routines and Schedules: Establish consistent routines for feeding, sleeping, and playtime to help manage the demands of two babies.
• Individual Attention: Make an effort to spend quality one-on-one time with each child to foster their unique bond and sense of self. Children want fairness! More to come!
• Encourage Individuality: Recognize that each twin is unique, and support their individual interests and friendships. Get into their world
• Seek Support: Don't hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or support groups. Connecting with other parents of twins can provide valuable insights and emotional support.
• Communication and Open Dialogue: Encourage open communication with your twins about their feelings, development, and any comparisons they may be making with each other. NO COMPARISON
• Fairness vs. Equality: Understand that fairness doesn't always mean treating twins exactly the same. Focus on meeting their individual needs, even if it requires different approaches. Stay away from matching outfits

Celebrate Their Bond: Acknowledge the special

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.