When it comes to relating with your grandkids, it’s not always as simple as giving them a treat or telling them an old story.

In fact, understanding their world and connecting with them requires a bit of effort as their reality is quite different from ours.

It’s like trying to read a book in a language you’re not fully conversant with.

Luckily, many people have successfully built strong relationships with their grandchildren, and they’ve done so by letting go of some old-fashioned boomer habits.

Now, I’ll share with you 8 specific behaviors you might need to bid goodbye to – if you want to up your grandparenting game.

Don’t worry, I’ll keep it light and straightforward – just like how we prefer our conversations here at the Global English Editing blog.

1) Shrugging off technology

The digital age can be overwhelming.

Phones that do more than just call, apps for things you never thought you needed, and don’t even get me started on social media! It’s easy to dismiss these advancements as unnecessary and stick with what we know.

But here’s the thing. For our grandkids, this is their world. They’ve grown up in an environment where technology isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you need to become a tech guru overnight, but showing an interest in their digital world can go a long way in building bridges.

It could be as simple as asking them to show you how to use a new app or expressing curiosity about their favorite video game.

By shedding the outdated behavior of disregarding technology, we open up a new avenue of communication with our grandkids.

Plus, who knows? You might just find that some of these gadgets are pretty handy!

2) Dismissing their interests

The music is too loud, the fashion is too wild, and why on earth would anyone want to watch someone else play video games online?

I remember the day my grandson first introduced me to a “YouTuber.” I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

Why would millions of people tune in to watch this young man play a game and comment on it?

But then I saw the joy in my grandson’s eyes, his excitement as he explained the game and the YouTuber’s strategies. I realized this was his world, his interests, and if I wanted to connect with him, I needed to understand it.

So, I decided to do just that. I asked him to explain more about it and even watched a few videos with him. To my surprise, I found myself laughing along and genuinely enjoying our time together.

Letting go of my preconceived notion about what constitutes ‘proper’ interests allowed me to connect with my grandson on a deeper level.

So, don’t be quick to dismiss their passions – you might be surprised at what you find!

3) Insisting on ‘traditional’ career paths

Remember when being a doctor, lawyer, or engineer were the only respected professions? Well, times have changed.

The career landscape has dramatically shifted over the past few decades and it continues to evolve.

Today, people are making successful careers in fields that didn’t even exist when we were growing up. Consider this: the highest-earning YouTuber in 2020 was a nine-year-old boy who made $29.5 million reviewing toys.

Our grandkids are growing up in a world where their passions can turn into profitable livelihoods – be it in gaming, social media influencing, or even drone racing!

So, let’s shelve the old-school notion that only traditional professions promise a secure future.

Instead, let’s encourage our grandkids to pursue what they love. Who knows? They might just become the next big thing!

4) Overdoing the advice

We’ve all been there. The urge to impart wisdom to the younger generation can be overwhelming. After all, we’ve been around the block a few times and learned a thing or two.

But here’s something to consider: our grandkids are growing up in a world that’s very different from the one we knew at their age. They face unique challenges, opportunities and societal norms.

Offering advice isn’t inherently bad – it’s how we share our life experiences. However, overdoing it can make them feel like they’re not being heard or understood.

So, let’s try a different approach. Let’s listen more and advise less. Let’s ask them about their thoughts, their dreams, their fears. You might be surprised at how much you can learn from them.

Remember, building a strong relationship is as much about understanding as it is about guiding. So let’s put ourselves in their shoes more often and see the world from their perspective.

5) Ignoring their privacy

I’ll be the first to admit it, I’ve been guilty of this. Back in the day, privacy wasn’t a big issue. Families shared everything, and I mean everything.

But times have changed, and so have our grandkids’ expectations of privacy. Today’s generation values their personal space and the freedom to express themselves without constant scrutiny.

I’ve found that respecting their privacy doesn’t mean distancing myself. It means trusting them to make the right decisions and letting them know that I’m here when they need me.

It might seem difficult at first, but once I started respecting their privacy, I noticed a change. They opened up more, sharing their thoughts and experiences because they felt safe and respected.

So let’s try to remember that just as we value our privacy, so do our grandkids. Let’s give them the space they need to grow and trust that we’ve done a good job in guiding them.

6) Avoiding difficult conversations

It’s easy to stick to safe topics when talking with our grandkids. After all, who wants to risk a peaceful afternoon by bringing up politics, social issues or the climate crisis?

But here’s a surprising revelation: Our grandkids want to be heard on these topics. They are living in a world where these issues are not only relevant but also impact their daily lives.

Engaging in these discussions not only shows them that we value their opinions but also helps us understand their perspective. It’s an opportunity to learn from them while also sharing our own views and experiences.

Remember, difficult conversations don’t have to be uncomfortable. Approached with respect and open-mindedness, they can be a valuable bonding experience with our grandkids.

7) Overlooking their achievements

In our day, milestones were easy to identify – graduating, getting a job, getting married. But in today’s world, our grandkids often celebrate different kinds of victories.

It could be reaching a new level in a video game, gaining a certain number of followers on their blog, or even mastering a challenging yoga pose. These might seem trivial to us, but to them, it’s a significant achievement.

Just as we celebrate their grades or sporting achievements, it’s equally important to acknowledge these ‘modern’ victories. Doing so not only shows that we’re interested in their lives but also validates their efforts.

Remember, it’s not about the size of the achievement, it’s about the effort they put into it. So let’s make a point to celebrate their victories, big or small.

8) Forgetting to say ‘I love you’

In all our efforts to connect, understand and guide our grandkids, let’s not forget the most important thing – to express our love for them.

Saying ‘I love you’ might seem simple, but those three powerful words can mean the world to them. It strengthens our bond and reminds them that no matter what, they are loved and valued.

So let’s make it a point to say ‘I love you’ often. Because at the end of the day, that’s what family is all about – love.

Embracing the journey

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve shown a willingness to adapt, to understand and most importantly, to connect with your grandchildren on a deeper level.

Adapting to their world doesn’t mean abandoning yours. It’s about finding common ground where both generations can learn and grow together.

Remember, building a relationship isn’t a one-time effort, but a continuous journey filled with shared experiences, mutual respect, and love. It’s about celebrating their victories, respecting their space, and embracing their interests.

Bear in mind the wise words of Rudyard Kipling: “We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse.”

As grandparents, we have countless opportunities to build bridges with our grandkids. Let’s not make excuses but seize these moments to foster a relationship that transcends generations.

So take this journey one step at a time, one behavior at a time. Your grandkids will not only appreciate your efforts but also reciprocate them in ways you might never expect.

And in the process, you’ll discover that the journey to understanding them can be as rewarding as the destination itself.