Three Ways They can Serve As Family
Story Tellers
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader
If your parents are bored, shy, infirm, or inactive during your Thanksgiving get-togethers this post is for you. Or, if you're a Grandma who wastes hours of precious energy every Christmas season searching for perfect gift for each of the grandkids, read on.
Your parents may be the kind who 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 family meal, 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
1. Grammy Girlfriend at Teresa's Treasures
2. Susan at Forever His
3. Vicki at Light for the Writer's Soul
4. Jan at Mile High Scribes
Writing Resources
• How to Write Your Autobiography by Chrysalis
• Book: Spiritual Autobiography
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 is 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) I received mine; order your FREE copy here.
Photos: NikkiMcLeod, seandreilinger & robbplusjessie (Flickr)
A Wee Blogging Break
This week, e-Dad and I are off to sunny California for a short vacation to celebrate our 31st anniversary. We'll be back in 10 days. Until then... God bless you!
Coming Soon—Bible Study: Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?
Do you remember your grandparents
reading to you as a child?
12 COMMENTS:
What a timely post! I am actually thinking of bringing along a video camera, or tape recorder and recording some interview questions with my parents. They lived through WWII and have so much to share about the different lifestyle from back then. I don't want to forget a single bit!
have a fantastic anniversary! 31 years! that is so wonderful! may God bless you through another 31!!!
Congratulations e-Mom! Enjoy your vacation!
Persuaded: Oh, you're a good daughter. My Dad loves WWII DVDs (he lives in a nursing home). It must have been an amazing time to live through. Thanks for stopping by today. :~D
Amydeanne: Another 31? Wow, thanks. I never thought of THAT! LOL.
Andrea: Thank you so much. :~D
Happy Anniversary E-mom!!
Hope you guys have a wonderful time away in sunny California.
Thanks for this awesome post, gosh, so many great ideas and links.
I'm going to check each one out!
What a BLESSING you are E-mom.
I appreciate you and your ministry to so much.
Oh...what a surprise it was to see my blog listed. You are just the sweetest♥
You are so right! Over dinner one night I asked my aunt about how many times they had hamburgers during WWII. Great information that lead into beautiful detail! I will definitely incorporate this into our next Thanksgiving dinner.
BTW, Cracker Barrel has a great family game to play around the dinner table! The laughter around the table was heart-warming! For all ages!
My grandma read to me from the old golden books - before they had the gold spine. I loved the Poky Little Puppy.
Thanks for the link to the free journal. I ordered one. I am hoping my mother will fill it out for my kids. I hope your vacation is going great!
Susan: Thanks so much, as always, for your sweet words of encouragement!
We're having a wonderful time in the sun, thanks. Be back soon.
(((Hugs)))
Blue Cotton Memory: So how many times DID they have hamburgers during WWII? I'll investigate that game, thanks. We love family games too. :~D
April: Lol, I don't remember the Little Golden Books without the spine. What a neat memory of your grandma. :~D
A Stone Gatherer: Cool! I'm glad your journal arrived! They're a wonderful tool, aren't they? I have yet to put mine to work with my Dad.
We're having fun thanks! :~D
What a wonderful post!! My maternal grandparents I did not know well. I do remember before my maternal Grandma died, (i only knew her from when she would visit us on her days off from the nursing home she was in due to a mental breakdown of some sort) that she would read her Bible but never to us. She was actually quite ill from years of domestic violence. My mother had no contact with her dad so I never knew my maternal grandfather. I do know my mom's mom was a Believer.
My dad's parents are the grandparents I remember fondly. But they never read to us. they did tell us stories tho of when they were younger....they were not Believers....I have given each of my parents, who are Christians, the grandparent legacy book to fill out. My dad's is wonderful...my daughters have had fun learning more about grampa M. My mom is planning on finishing it this xmas for them. My husband's parents DO read with my children and tell them MANY stories...they are not Believers (YET!!) but we are constantly praying for the Lord to become real to them. We are very close with them emotionally!
Faith: Thanks for your detailed comment. Your family sounds like mine... a mixed bag of believers and unbelievers. I'm so pleased that you've had the benefit of strong relationships with your grandparents. They are SO precious and not to be overlooked!
((Hugs))
you know my grandma (dads side) and my grandpa (moms side) both died when i was 3 years old but i remember my grandma reading to me. its the only memory of her that i have.
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