I have been asked by a few new mothers to have “Grammies Tips”.  These are little things I have learned over the years of parenting and grandparenting that have helped me.  If you try any of the tips please let me know if you liked them.

My first tip is :  READ TO CHILDREN

I started reading to my children as soon as they were born.  I had the little children’s hard paged books in the hospital.  I found it was a good “bonding time”, and as the children got older I started reading bed time stories to them.  I did that with Xan as well, and have encouraged my sons and daughters in law to do the same.

Reading before bed is great because it establishes a “quiet time”.  A time to relax and get ready for some all important sleep…..for them and you.  We dimmed the lights a bit and read while snuggling.  I like snuggling.  As the children grew older, we read J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.  This has come back to haunt me because the boys wanted to see the movies at midnight when they opened.  I was so surprised that some of my “voices” were right on.

I think I now know why it’s so good to develop the habit of reading to the children before bed.   I finally realized a few years ago that there is a silver lining.  After reading bed time stories for over 30 years, I have someone to read ME a bedtime story.  I wish I had thought of this years ago, but every now and then Xan will read me a bedtime story.  It is great practice for the children and a wonderful time of relaxation for me.   Life is good.