Be a Polite Adult Child with Children

Be a polite adult child with children by adopting a new attitude and approach to your parents. Remember, these two people are the ones that brought you into the world; as a result, they deserve your respect and love. You can show both by considering their feelings in regards to your offspring.

Don't . . .

Assume your parents want baby-sit. Although they love their grandchildren, they also need "me" time. You're parents probably put off doing a lot of activities in order to raise you. Now, in their golden years, they are ready to enjoy their life again. For this reason, take any "no's" to babysitting with a smile. Understand your parents need a little rest and relaxation.

Use your parents like ATM machines. Yes, your parents probably have more money than you do. Yet, they accumulated their dough over time and part of their wealth is to care for their needs throughout retirement. Therefore, be a polite adult child with children and don't expect them to pay for all of the necessities and non-necessities for your little ones. Accept their gifts with gratitude and, then, do your best to live with the means of your own budget.

Manipulate your parents through your children. Avoid using your children as pawns against your parents. You shouldn't threaten to keep them away if your parents don't yield to your demands. You also shouldn't prime your children to say things to your parents you want them to hear, but are too scared to say yourself. Allow your children and parents to build a special kind of relationship; one with no strings attached.

Let your children leave your parent's house a mess. Make sure that your parent's house looks the same as it did prior to your arrival. Teach your children to respect their grandparent's property and put things back where they belong and not destroy valuable items. Truthfully, this kind of training is a key part of socialization with even non-relatives. If you start early, you will prevent your children from growing up to become disrespectful guests.

Allow your children to be rude to your parents. Be a polite adult child with children and set a few ground rules with your kids. Explain how you feel about your parents and that you won't stand for certain types of behaviors. On no certain terms are your children to curse, yell, hit or act crudely to your parents. Then, follow suit. Model for your children how you want them to behave, so they understand how to act.

Use these suggestions and treat your parents with honor. If you do, they will be more excited to see you and your children.