At 22 months my grandson is quite active, so I'm always looking for new places to play. The malls all have a quick get out of the rain substitute, but not really enough entertainment as he expands his ability to climb and move. I love the Kirkwood park off of Adams, great variety of equipment. Blackburn Park in Webster Groves is also fun. Have just been told about upper Buder Park which is supposed to be good. If you have a suggestion, please let us know. There is a train store in Valley Park that allows children to play with the models in a room. I will check it out and report. Also heard that Monkey Joes is fun indoor activity, $5.00. At this stage he is happy with a walk down the block or just playing in the yard.
An important observation can be made about how necessary physical activity is for children. Perhaps, as a grandparent, I instill the desire to daily take a walk or just go out and play, my little guy will feel that desire as an adult and set up his own healthy regime for physical outdoor activity. I am always mindful that we are creating footprints for our grandbabies to walk in!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Not Everyday Is Rosey!
Today was our second visit to the Little Gym. Nana was all excited to revisited the learning aspect of a gym with her 21 month old grandson. My grandson, although pleased the week before, was anything but happy at the prospects of being in the gym. The instructor was pleasant and communicative, but Luke was not having any of it. He kept running to the door and repeatedly saying,"out, please!" Needless to say, I was perplexed. He didn't have a fever, nor symptoms of the flu, but he was clearly not himself. The afternoon progressed, lunch went fine and so did playtime and his nap. As is the case from 30 years ago, somedays are better than others and even when you are a 21 month old , you still can decide for yourself when you just want to be home!!!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Questionnaire for Grandchild Growers
Questionnaire for Growing Grandchildren Members:
1) Name_________________________
2) eMail_________________________
3) Phone_________________________
4)What age is the child you care for?_________,___________,_____________
5)Do you care for them by yourself or with help?___________________
6)When you are together do you have planned activities?___________________________
7) Do you have exercise time?_________________
8)Do you do arts and crafts on a weekly basis?__________________
9)Do you do organized games?________________________________
10)Would you be interested in hearing lectures on pertinent subjects related to childrens well-being? Food allergies, behavioral issues etc._____-______________________
11)Would you enjoy listening to an author or having your grandchild have story time?_____
12)Would you be interested in having your grandchild go on organized field trips with you?_____
13)Would you enjoy getting an e-newsletter and calendar with local free and fee activites on it?______________
14)How many minutes would you drive to participate in activites with your grandchild(ren)?________________________
15)Would you be interested in organized play groups?_________________
16)Do you know CPR? would you like to learn?_________________
17)Are you interested in learning about new regulations(ie. cribs and carseats)?____________
18)Do you have expertise in an area that you would like to teach a class?__________________
19)Would you enjoy chatting with other grandparents to find out their strategy for solving an issue?_______________
1) Name_________________________
2) eMail_________________________
3) Phone_________________________
4)What age is the child you care for?_________,___________,_____________
5)Do you care for them by yourself or with help?___________________
6)When you are together do you have planned activities?___________________________
7) Do you have exercise time?_________________
8)Do you do arts and crafts on a weekly basis?__________________
9)Do you do organized games?________________________________
10)Would you be interested in hearing lectures on pertinent subjects related to childrens well-being? Food allergies, behavioral issues etc._____-______________________
11)Would you enjoy listening to an author or having your grandchild have story time?_____
12)Would you be interested in having your grandchild go on organized field trips with you?_____
13)Would you enjoy getting an e-newsletter and calendar with local free and fee activites on it?______________
14)How many minutes would you drive to participate in activites with your grandchild(ren)?________________________
15)Would you be interested in organized play groups?_________________
16)Do you know CPR? would you like to learn?_________________
17)Are you interested in learning about new regulations(ie. cribs and carseats)?____________
18)Do you have expertise in an area that you would like to teach a class?__________________
19)Would you enjoy chatting with other grandparents to find out their strategy for solving an issue?_______________
Growing Grandchildren
Recently as I was leaving my driveway on the way to watch my grandson, I suddenly became aware of the weeds that were taking over the flower beds and the grass that had started to creep over the sidewalks edge and I remarked, "I don't have time for you today, I'm busy growing a grandchild!"
As I continued driving to my daughters home, I thought about all the grandparents that I have met over the past year in parks and play areas that are doing the very same thing, caring for their grandchild...
Today, probably more than at any other time in history, there is an enormous amount of people in their 60's and 70's that are not only holding down some sort of employment position but also taking care of their grandchildren over 30 hours a week. I have lovingly decided to name us the Grandchild Growers, mainly because of the enormity of the responsibility that is resting on our shoulders.
As a child my grandmother took care of me often, but she didn't have another job, she didn't drive, nor have a cell phone to be contacted instanteously and she only lived two blocks away. Our lifestyles have changed with new technology and the demands that we are shouldering have become staggering. Today's grandparents are more than likely still working at their occupation, filling in at their grandchildren school events when the parents can't get off of work, driving carpool when needed, possibly watching under school age children full time for their own adult children.
This new challenge for so many people of my generation gave me food for thought. A grandparent site, could provide a much needed source of support for grandparents. I thought that if I would benefit from learning updated methods for providing care for my grandchildren so would others of my generation. In the last 30 years, a great deal of improvements have been created in the field of childrearing and the key note to all of this is..."The child I am helping to mold into a responsible, loving adult is only a gift on loan to me from his parents. I have a responsibility to him and his parents to do the best job ever with the time I am given. I fail all of us if I don't use all the wonderful new sources for support that have been developed and improved upon since I was the parent raising a child."
This blog will hopefully serve to build support and cement a foundation for all the other adults who are growing a grandchild! Join me daily in my quest to find new places to take your grandchild for an outing, new products to make childrearing easier, new safety tips and the latest in local "off limits area" to help us avoid trouble.
As I continued driving to my daughters home, I thought about all the grandparents that I have met over the past year in parks and play areas that are doing the very same thing, caring for their grandchild...
Today, probably more than at any other time in history, there is an enormous amount of people in their 60's and 70's that are not only holding down some sort of employment position but also taking care of their grandchildren over 30 hours a week. I have lovingly decided to name us the Grandchild Growers, mainly because of the enormity of the responsibility that is resting on our shoulders.
As a child my grandmother took care of me often, but she didn't have another job, she didn't drive, nor have a cell phone to be contacted instanteously and she only lived two blocks away. Our lifestyles have changed with new technology and the demands that we are shouldering have become staggering. Today's grandparents are more than likely still working at their occupation, filling in at their grandchildren school events when the parents can't get off of work, driving carpool when needed, possibly watching under school age children full time for their own adult children.
This new challenge for so many people of my generation gave me food for thought. A grandparent site, could provide a much needed source of support for grandparents. I thought that if I would benefit from learning updated methods for providing care for my grandchildren so would others of my generation. In the last 30 years, a great deal of improvements have been created in the field of childrearing and the key note to all of this is..."The child I am helping to mold into a responsible, loving adult is only a gift on loan to me from his parents. I have a responsibility to him and his parents to do the best job ever with the time I am given. I fail all of us if I don't use all the wonderful new sources for support that have been developed and improved upon since I was the parent raising a child."
This blog will hopefully serve to build support and cement a foundation for all the other adults who are growing a grandchild! Join me daily in my quest to find new places to take your grandchild for an outing, new products to make childrearing easier, new safety tips and the latest in local "off limits area" to help us avoid trouble.
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