I love every moment I spend with my grandson, but I discovered it is best to be prepared for his visits. Here are the preparations my husband and I do before every visit.
Childproof the house
This is actually more than making sure there isn’t anything out that could harm Parker. It includes putting away anything that we don’t want him to harm. My guitar is positioned behind the couch. (He still manages to squirm his way to it.) I remove any of the many articles from my desk that I don’t want twisted, thrown, or stuffed in a secret spot. I put away my cd player and remove the hand cream that will become Parker’s paint.
Stretch
At 65 and 66, our joints are a little creaky and Parker is in constant motion, so we have to be ready to run, lift, and throw.
Prepare food
Since he is so active, he is also very hungry, so we need to make all of his favorites. Right now, those favorites include peanut butter sandwiches, popsicles, and veggie chips.
Be creative
We do our best to stimulate his brain, so we invent games to keep him engaged. Unfortunately, all of these games require us to move….constantly.
Work together
If you parent alone you know that can be a challenge. Having a partner in crime means you can take turns and breaks.
Our visits come with some challenges, but we love every minute!
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