Talking to The Grandparents
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It can be the hardest to talk to the child's grandparents about
ways that you want to raise your children that might be different from
the way that they raised you. Differences might be interpreted as
challenges or criticism of their own child-raising abilities.
Here are some things to consider when addressing the grandparents:
1. They have your best interests at heart and want you to succeed.
2. It is helpful to explain why something is important to you. You can provide information and
background which can help them understand your choices. Be sure to tell them that you value their support.
3. If the grandparents are providing child care or are a daily part of the
child's life, helping them understand the importance of your
perspective is even more important. Consider picking one or two things that are most important to you and make your case there (e.g., no pesticides in the house).
4. Sometimes it's better to agree to disagree
than it is to try to convince them to agree with your parenting
perspective. Community and relationship with child is extremely
important.
Sometimes you just have to let them do what they are going to do.