Advice for Grandparents to Be - When Your Daughter is Pregnant

Finding out that your daughter is pregnant can be one of the great joys in your life. You are so filled with love and excitement for your new grandchild you just want to explode. Before you go out and pick out birth announcements there are a few things to take into consideration.

First please remember that although this is a joyous time for your daughter it is also scary and filled with uncertainty. She has never been through this experience before, and her hormones are probably not exactly stable right now either. Be patient with your daughter and except the fact that she may need you more then anything one minute and snap at your helpful advice the next.

Remember that this is your daughters moment to shine. Let your daughter choose who she wants to tell and when. Yes you want to call all of your brothers and sisters and let them know you are going to be a grandparent, but she might want to keep the news to just her immediate family for a while longer. She might also want to be the one to tell her aunt Sally. Let her do this, please do not steal her thunder.

Please do not run out and decorate the room without her input. Grandparents have every intention of being helpful and making their child's transition into parenthood as easy as possible. They sometimes forget that this is your daughters child, and no matter how much you want to help out she needs to be making the decisions of what color the room is going to be and what theme to use. When you gave birth to her, did your mom pick out her room? It is her child and your grandchild.

This does not mean that you need to stay away from your child during her pregnancy. Your support is crucial at this time, in fact if you are trying to give her space to enjoy this experience her way she may take this in a negative manner. She may see this as your not caring.

On one final note, your daughter wants you close by during the actual birth. They may not admit it but they need the comfort of their mommy and daddy around them during this life changing event. Please if you do nothing else, be there for your child while they are giving birth to the next generation. Plan on coming to the hospital once your daughter goes into labor, and to see the new baby in the nursery after the birth. This is such a joyous and amazing moment, you don't want to miss it!