Hugs, kisses, cuddles and endless epics, that’s what memories of grandparents are made of. With better medical care helping us live longer, our children may enjoy their grand’s longer that we did. And yet, more and more families are choosing to live away from their parents or their adult children, which makes grand parenting different from what is used to be.

Today’s parents are busy, whether as double income couples or with one parent a homemaker. Parenting, never an easy task, has fallen directly on parental shoulders, and in an increasingly alarming number of homes, on the shoulders of a single parent. That’s when behavioral problems can arise in children. But these problems settle down soon after the regular presence of a parent figure, usually the grandparent. Grandparents are right there, some fit enough to chip in with varying degrees of childcare, and more importantly, offering time, patience, wisdom and love, unique elements for bringing up the next generation. The relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild is the most unambiguous in this world.

Charting new waters: Today, more stereotypes lie shattered than even before. And so, it would be unfair to expect grandparents to follow the lullaby routine. It would be wonderful for all three generations if we, as their children, learnt to accept them for what they are rather than feel shortchanged that they’re not what our grandparents were.

Modern grandparents often don’t live close enough to be there every day in person, but communications have evolved well enough for us to connect the two generations that share the special something. They’re also, more often than not, the source of spiritual strength. They have the time and wisdom to be more patient than parents and studies indicate that just having them around helps children develop into mature, considerate adults.

A note to parents: Even if they are far away, help your kids and their grandparents keep each other in mind and heart. Here are some simple tips how:
• Keep a photograph of the grandparents where the kids can see them.
• Make as frequent phones calls as you can so the two generations can hear each other.
• Facilitate the sending of emails and cards, even letters if you can.
•  When taking the kids for a visit to grandparents, make sure the grandparents know in advance what are kids used to be, their food preferences, bedtimes and discipline. Also the little things that make them happy.
• Teach the child that they handmade gifts will be loved by the grand’s.
• Keep grandparents posted about special days in the littlies lives, days at school, prize distribution , so that they are in the loop and the kids can receive little cards or phone calls that will make the day even more special.
So, watch out for the grandparent’s day and make their life full of joy because grandparents, someone said, sprinkle stardust in our eyes. Today’s families have to learn to accommodate generations for that magic to happen.