Three Ways They Can Serve
As Family Story Tellers
If your parents are bored, shy, infirm, or inactive during your Thanksgiving get-togethers this post is for you.
Or if Mom and Dad waste hours of precious energy every Christmas season searching for perfect gift for each of the grandkids, read on.
Grandparents love to "spoil" their grandchildren with trips, gifts, and money, but your parenting values may quietly be at odds with this natural impulse. Perhaps their limited retirement income prevents very much shopping for material things. One of the most important roles you can ask your Mom or Dad to play is that of the Story Keeper.
God graciously gives grandparents a second opportunity to teach important lessons to the next generation. It’s especially meaningful if they were too overwhelmed with life when they were raising you. Encourage your parents to forge special bonds with your children by quietly reading and telling them stories before or after your holiday meals.
Story telling is a powerful way to give children a sense of wonder and understanding of the marvelous world God has designed. Story telling takes lots of time, and your kids will thrive on their grandparents’ attention. Here are three ways your parents can prioritize their role as Story Keeper at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings instead of focusing on media or expensive toys.
1. Grandparents Can Build Your Library of Children’s Classics
Help your parents select books online or through bookstores that are proven classics. Best sellers lists, librarians, and other booksellers have lists of award-winning literature that will capture your children’s imaginations and teach spiritual values. This is an incredible opportunity to help your children discover the great stories of the ages. Make sure they autograph each book and include a date, before they wrap them up.
2. Grandparents Can Tell Their Own
Life Stories
Don’t forget your parents have their own library of classics right inside their head! Your children will thrill to the real life adventures of Grandpa as a young man, or Grandma as a little girl. Your parents’ own memories may be jogged during their cosy reading sessions, so encourage them to have a pen and paper handy to jot down notes. Or be ready to record their entertaining anecdotes while they snuggle with your children on the sofa.
3. Grandparents Can Create Living Stories
After your turkey dinner, encourage your parents to take your children on a casual walk to the nearest viewpoint, to walk the dog, or go next door with a plate of cookies. Remind them to share their favorite childhood songs along the way. This is also an excellent time to dream about the next visit with Grandma or Grandpa. With a little forethought and planning "Living Stories" can be created that will become treasured memories for your kids.
Grandparents play a unique role in the lives of children. Let your parents be the Story Keepers in your family. Encourage them to share their journey of faith, and to be open to your young questions about the Jesus Christ. Perhaps they will even have the privilege of leading one of your children to the Lord. Above all, allow them to "spoil" your children with an attitude of wonder—the wonder of God’s world, the wonder of His love and grace, and especially the wonder of his workmanship in their own lives.
"We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." (Psalm 78:4 NIV)
Awesome Blogging Grandmas
Run right over to Windows To My Soul and read Vicki’s touching story about how she had the privilege of leading her 5-year old grand daughter Lexie in the sinner’s prayer. Kathleen Marie at The Open Window is also a thankful Grandma. If you’re a grandparent, you’ll discover some excellent resources at The Christian Grandparenting Network. This post was adapted from information provided in this article, "Grandparents: The Story Keepers."FREE Legacy Journal
The Christian Grandparenting Network offering each family a free fill-in-the-blank journal to record family history information, personal information and thoughts about important topics grandparents want to pass on as a legacy for their grandchildren. This attractive 80 page journal is wire-bound for ease of writing and reading. (An $8.50 value) Order your FREE copy here.
Writing Resources
• "How to Write Your Autobiography"
• Jennifer at Diary of 1 posted an interesting interview with her Mom in this piece, "Project Generation Connections." Be inspired!
Do you remember your grandparents
reading to you as a child?
Photos: hebedesign (1 & 3) Master Phillip (2) (Flickr)
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28 COMMENTS:
Great ideas here. In our world it is hard to have a time quiet enough to read anything when all of the family is together. We got to spend the past weekend with our two granddaughters (would have had youngest too but she is a baby yet) and it was a good time to spend memory-making time together.
I have been encouraged to be a much more dedicated Grandmom by your post. Thanks.
I love this! Can't emphasize enough the importance of those family stories. We recorded some my father told when he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. His sisters checked to make sure his details were accurate and they contributed info as well. We were not successful getting my FIL's stories before he lost his battle with cancer. Moral of the story: get the stories while they're still healthy and alert enough to give 'em!
I have been trying to encourage my in-laws (who are Christian) to do more of this sort of thing and less "big presents" with the kids. My parents on the other hand often share things that are better for the kids not to be part of including books we disagree with--though we have found that encouraging stories of their childhood is good, in general. Because of my parents divorce holidays are more immediate family and less family get togethers--we do however encourage each grandparent to take the birthday kid (birthdays are all around the holidays) out and do something special with them for their birthday instead of giving a ton of gifts.
i didn't really get to know the joy of grandparents. my grandma (dads side) and my grandpa (moms side) both died when i was 3. and then my grandma (moms side) didn't know any english. and we also lived far far far from both grandma (moms side) and grandpa (dads side)
ARE YOU CONFUSED YET?
ahhh...all this to say that though communication was hard...and i found it difficult to connect to my grandparents, they were veryspecial to my heart and impacted me in many ways.
I am always amazed by your inspiring posts and the things that come to you to post.
Story telling is huge and it brings back many good childhood memories. I had an aunt who was amazing at thinking up stories on the go I always remember her Harry and Wilmur stories. My mum use to read Winnie The Pooh, to me and I remember her crying when she read now we are six and Christopher Robin was growing too old for Winnie! I loved Topsy & Tim and and and - oh thanks for bringing back the memories.
These are such wonderful ideas. I'll need to squirrel them away for another day. I remember only a few of the wonderful stories my grandfather (an immigrant from Holland) would tell). He was also a great joke teller (something my dad has inherited). Oh, how I wish we had recorded my grandfather telling them before he died.
Dear E-mom,
Has anyone told you how wonderful you are lately? I'm just so blessed I found your awesome blog!
I always have so many wonderful things to glean from you. Thanks so much for being so creative and so helpful in our journeys as grand-parents!
I did not have any grand-parents on either side. So naturally I longed for this most of my life. Now it's my turn to be all that I desired for my 3 beautiful grands. Thanks for helping me out.
Blessings to you!
Susan
My MIL spends quite a bit of time telling the kids their family heritage and stories of those that they have never had the privilege to meet. They enjoy hearing their grandma tell them the stories of the past. My parents aren't around to do that with my children so they cherish it when my husband's mom does that.
That is such a great thing that I lacked as a child. I am hoping my parents do this with my children. It is never late to start!
Much love,
Angela
Another great post! My inlaws do tell wonderful stories to my children. My father in law is a direct descendant from the Mayflower so Thanksgiving is especially important time. My husband's great great plus 7 grandfather came over on the Speedwell and his great, great plus 7 more uncle came over on the Mayflower. They have many stories that have been handed down through the years to keep the T---name alive! The sad thing though is that they are not Christians so....but they are wonderful grandparents. We vowed this year we are going to be more vocal about our faith than ever before!
This is such a wonderful post, e-Mom. I enjoyed it very much! Thank you for mentioning Lexie (she's actually 5 yrs. old). I'm still overjoyed that she prayed for Jesus to come into her little heart.
You know, my grandparents died before I really knew them, but it's such a blessing to have my own grandchildren. The Lord will bless our efforts to plant seed in their precious lives.
Blessings to you, my friend. I also appreciated your wise words at my blog today.
Vicki: I was thrilled to read about Lexie... apparently so much so, that I missed her noting her correct age! :~) I've made the change thanks.
Lovely to have you here today. Hugs, e-Mom
This is just a wonderful wonderful article! Wow, I ordered me a journal. I love it when my parents share at holidays and my hubby and I sure look forward to the same opportunity. My little granddaughter loves to be read to. We are blessed with classics from my hubby's family and I devour them. Also, thank you for thinking of me. I LOVE being a grandma. It is a true blessing from God!
What great ideas you have here, and thank you for mentioning my post! I only had one grandparent growing up, on my mom's side. She was an amazing lady, and I lived with her for several years and knew her well. She died when I was 22. One neat memory I have has nothing to do with me, but stands as a symbol of her lovely character. During WWII, she took it upon herself to write letters to soldiers - no one she knew, but in that day it was much more common for those at home to write these letters. That's generous in itself, but then after the war, several of the young soldiers she had corresponded with came and stayed with her. She took in whoever needed a place, and some of these soldiers became like part of the family.
This was very helpful! Since I am a grandma two three beautiful, adorable, wonderful sweet...Oh, I think you get the picture. I can always use helpful ways to become a better grandma and some great gift ideas.
BTW-Did I tell you how much I enjoy being a grandma? LOL!!!
Hi,
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It's an easy process to get on board, and I can be reached at clayton@verveearth.com for questions or feedback. If you resonate with the vision of painting a global canvas of voices, please give VerveEarth a mention.
Connie Marie: I forget that you're a grandmother! (You look so young.) It sounds like you have things well in hand with your grandkids. Enjoy.
Carol: I'm so glad you caught your Dad when he could remember his stories. :~)
Heather: You've thought this through already. Good for you. I know from experience that holidays can be tricky when there's been a divorce in the family. :~)
Ruth: Yes, thoroughly confused! :~) Actually, what language did your grandma (Mom's side) speak?
Living Beyond Myself: Harry and Wilmur? Were these made-up characters? Recently, my sister and I were recalling my father's own Rootie and Tootie stories. Lol! A.A. Milne... my favourite!
DebD: Ah yes, telling jokes. Now that's a fun thing to do at family gatherings.
Susan: You're sooooo sweet! I'm pleased to have found your blog too. I'm not quite sure how we met (through MM perhaps).
And you have three grands? I may have my first in the not too distant future. Our daughter is newly engaged. Blessings back to you! :~)
Julie: It's wonderful that your MIL has a heart to share the past with your children.
Angela: I agree, it's never too late to start. :~)
Faith: That's fascinating that your FIL is a direct decendent from the Mayflower! Maybe you'll blog about that for us on Thanksgiving. :~) Yes, share your faith boldly. You can even use the Pilgrim's faith as your examples.
Vicki: I can imagine your tremendous joy over Lexie! There is no greater joy than knowing our own offspring are saved.
Kathleen Marie: I'm so glad you ordered a copy of the free journal. (I did too!) Like you, I have a special collection of children's classics that I assembled when our kids were younger. I can hardly wait to share them with the grands... some day. :~)
Jennifer: How neat that you lived with your grandma. What a blessing. How did that come about?
I love your story about the soldiers. Maybe you could tell us more about that in a blog post... with photos! Thanks for sharing a tantalizing taste here. :~)
Lori: You crack me up! Here's a good quote: "If I knew how much fun my grandkids would be, I would have had them first."
The quote you mentioned is hanging on my wall. I bought it to give to my son but my husband thought maybe I shouldn't give it to him as a gift. LOL! I wanted to so badly!
Neither my parents or my husband's are saved (yet), but I look forward to being this kind of Grandma to my own grandbabies someday :) I even have my grandma named all picked out - and I'm 32!
I'd love to know about the veggie soup COHS button when you hear about it! Thanks :)
oops - I meant "my grandma name all picked out" :0 Typo!
Hi e-Mom, Thank you for vising my blog.I am a Christian first and then an Indian and try to talk about both aspects of my life in my blog. Glad you find it interesting. i like your writing too. God bless.
Oh Amen! In schooling at home, my eight year old got a book about an American Girl, Kit, and what life was like during the Depression. Her own grandma (and the only living grandparent) was actually alive during this time, and about the same age as my daughter is now! So I had my mom share what it was actually like, being a child during that time with her...a better source of personal knowledge could not be had!
I love all the suggestions here-wonderful post!
Lori: I can't believe it! Did I word the quote correctly? What does your plaque actually say?
Your husband sounds like a sensitive Dad... he's probably right that your son wouldn't appreciate that plaque as a gift. :~D
Jaccim: I'm with you. My contact with my own grandparents was limited. My daughter has her name all picked out for me when I become a grandma too: Nana.
Sorry, I'm still waiting to hear about the COHS button. :~D
Amrita: Thanks for stopping by, and nice to meet you. Your blog about being a Christian in India is fascinating!
Tammy: That's a fantastic way make a book come alive. I'm sure your daughter loved her grandma's stories. The American Girls series are wonderful. :~D
My grandmother didn't read much to me, but she was big on teaching me songs. And I remember every last one of them to this day.
My plaque is heart shaped and says,
If I knew my grandchildren were so much fun...I would have had them first. LOL!!!
My son's are fortunate enough to have all 4 grandparents and a paternal great-grandmother, and it makes a massive difference in our lives to have the benefit of all that wisdom and experience, these are beautiful ideas for sharing even more of that.
WONDERFUL ideas! Thanks so much for a great post and just in time for all the family centered holidays! I plan to come back and REALLY read these ideas for use in the days to come!
allrileydup: Thanks for stopping by! Yes, songs are wonderful.
Lori: Looks like I quoted the author correctly. Phew!
Mandy: Your sons have it made! Nice to meet you. :~D
Linda: Thanks for stopping by! So glad you enjoyed this post. :~D
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