This weekend we celebrate a national holiday for some of the most important people in our lives. On Sunday, we honor those special relationships that our children cherish in their grandparents.
In adoptive families, children will have grandparents from their birth family as well as their adoptive grandparents. In nearly all adoptions today, some sort of openness is recommended for the benefit of everyone involved. And yes, sometimes even grandparents can be a part of that openness. So, how can we celebrate Grandparents Day with both sides of our adopted child’s family in mind?
1. Sharing a Legacy
There may be instances where certain grandparents are no longer with us. Celebrating them involves the parents being open to sharing stories or special qualities these grandparents had so their grandchild will feel connected. Keeping their memory alive for the family demonstrates a high honor for the part they played in the family’s early years. Make it a point to ask your child’s birth family to share details about grandparents your child may not have met.
2. Sharing a Story
For grandparents who may not live in the same city or for grandparents on your birth family’s side who you may not share a close relationship with, it is important to make them feel included in the stories of your child’s life. If your child is old enough, have them write a funny or interesting story that has happened to them recently and draw a picture to go with it. If they are too small, a parent can write a little anecdote about what the child has been learning or a new experience they had and include a photograph of the growing child. Send this to the grandparents in the mail directly or via the child’s birth parents so they can pass it on. The small gesture will leave a big impact.
3. Sharing a Seat
For school-aged children, a grandparents’ breakfast or lunch is often incorporated during the year. Inviting a grandparent to come to your child’s school and enjoy their company is a wonderful privilege for both the child and grandparent alike.
4. Sharing a Helping Hand
If possible, lending a hand to our grandparents shows our respect and love for the role they play in our family. It also teaches our child the importance of acts of service for someone who may need our assistance. Raking leaves, cleaning their car, or washing their dishes demonstrates love in action.
5. Sharing a Minute
To grandparents, their grandchildren, birth or adoptive, are their world. It’s a whole new role they have as grandparents, and their love overflows. What they want more than anything is for their grandchild to desire to just spend some quality time with them. If a visit is possible, a grandparent couldn’t be more pleased than being surrounded by those they love most. If visits are not as easy for some families, FaceTime or Skype are great options to be present for your grandparents.
Being intentional about setting aside time to show them you care will be the best way to celebrate Grandparents Day. Whatever your circumstances or locations, find a way that works for your family and praises some very important people in your life, and make it an important part of your child’s memory.
Jill is a 32-year-old wife and mom. She has been married to her husband, Brannon, for eight years and has 5-year-old and 1-year-old daughters. Jill and her husband are currently in the adoption process to bring another baby into their home. Jill lives in a small community in Kentucky. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish and obtained her Master’s degree in Christian Ministries. Jill’s passions are her faith, her family, writing, playing sports, and eating good food.
