The timeless saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” resonates deeply with the experience of parenthood. And at the heart of this village often stand grandparents, offering a unique blend of wisdom, unconditional love, and the precious gift of time. Their role in a child’s life is immeasurable, contributing to the growth of kind, respectful, and resilient young humans.
Grandparents often bring a wealth of life experience, offering perspectives shaped by years of navigating the ups and downs of raising their own families. This wisdom can be a comforting and guiding presence for new parents. Coupled with an often profound and unconditional love for their grandchildren, grandparents provide a bedrock of emotional support. Furthermore, as life’s pace potentially shifts, grandparents may have the invaluable time to simply be present – to listen, to play, and to connect with their grandchildren in ways that busy parents might find challenging.
To truly flourish in this vital role, it’s important for grandparents to understand the landscape of current parenting practices and to be ready to support the new families’ choices. While the fundamental love and connection remain constant, approaches to raising children evolve with new research and understanding. Embracing this knowledge allows grandparents to offer the most helpful and harmonious support.
One area where recommendations have significantly shifted over time is safe sleeping. The advice given when today’s grandparents were raising their own children may differ considerably from current guidelines. Today, the paramount advice is to always sleep babies on their backs from birth, for every sleep. The cot should have a firm mattress with nothing else inside – no soft bumpers, loose blankets, pillows, or toys. It’s also crucial to avoid overheating babies and to ensure they are in a smoke-free environment, both during pregnancy and after birth. Finally, current recommendations emphasise having the baby sleep in the parents’ room in a separate cot or bassinet for the first six to twelve months, as this has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Approaches to settling babies have also evolved. Current thinking emphasises hands-on, responsive settling. This involves understanding a baby’s cues and responding to their needs with gentle comfort, touch, and reassurance. The idea of controlled crying or leaving young babies to cry for extended periods is generally considered a harsh approach that doesn’t align with a baby’s developmental needs for security and connection. Responsive settling builds trust and helps babies learn to self-regulate over time, with the caregiver’s consistent presence.
In the realm of guiding older babies and toddlers, the focus has shifted towards respectful language and positive discipline. This involves communicating with children in a way that acknowledges their feelings and understanding, while setting clear boundaries with kindness and consistency. Positive discipline focuses on teaching and guiding rather than punishment, fostering a child’s inner sense of right and wrong.
Finally, as grandchildren approach the age of six months and are ready for solid foods, many parents are embracing baby-led weaning (BLW). This approach involves offering babies soft, finger-sized pieces of whole foods and allowing them to self-feed from the start, rather than relying solely on purees. Understanding BLW can help grandparents support and appreciate this feeding choice.
Grandparents, your role in the “village” is invaluable. Your wisdom, love, and time create a powerful foundation for the next generation. By embracing an understanding of current parenting practices, you can offer the most effective and loving support to your children and their growing families, strengthening bonds and enriching the lives of your grandchildren in countless ways.
Are you a grandparent looking to deepen your understanding of modern parenting techniques? Having A Baby Classes offers resources and insights into current best practices for newborn care, settling, and beyond. Equip yourself with the knowledge to best support your family’s journey. Explore our range of classes and resources today and continue to be the amazing cornerstone of your family!