by Jane Ganly

Created on: November 29, 2009   Last Updated: November 30, 2009

If you are like me, there is nothing that brings me more joy than being with my grandchildren. We have a very strong, special, loving bond. I began very early in their lives cultivating this unique bond between myself and my grandchildren, and I would like to share with you a few of the special ways I did just that.

Singing - Yes, singing! From the time my grandchildren were first placed in my arms, hours after they were born, I sang to them. Specifically "Frere Jacques", which is a French song which I also sang to my own children when they were young. It is a song that repeats its sentences twice back to back. The rhythm is simple with a fun "Ding-Ding-Dong" verse signaling the end of the song. I must tell you I am not the greatest singer, far from it! Yet my grandchildren listen intently as I sing this song repeatedly to them. Nodding my head to the rhythm as I sang, I found my grandchildren also began nodding their head. As my granddaughter, whom I started this lovely tradition with, got a bit older she began mimicking me. Not even old enough to really put a complete sentence together, the soothing rhythm, combined with hearing it a bazillion times, enabled her to sing the song along with me. Now I sing to her baby brother, who is four months old, and as I begin the song my granddaughter rushes to join in. What a special feeling it is, my granddaughter and myself smiling and singing to her baby brother as he smiles back at us!

Jewelry - I always wear the same piece of jewelry when visiting with my grandchildren. I have a beautiful moonstone trinket which dangles from a shiny silver chain around my neck. While sitting on my lap it is eye level with my grandchildren and the sparkle and shine really catches their eye. When they were old enough to reach out and grab objects, their little hands went immediately to my moonstone. With wide eyes they would stare at it while fingering the smooth stone. Before they were old enough to talk they would gesture for me to place the shiny chain and dangling stone around their neck. Now they know that whenever Grandma visits, she always has this beautiful moonstone on a shiny chain and happily, before being asked, places it around their necks. The smiles I receive sparkle and shine more than the necklace ever could.

Special Toys - When my grandchildren come to visit they each have a favorite toy that I have made sure is visible and readily available for them to play with. Their special toy has its own place in my living room, and no matter when they pop in it is always in its special spot. They go directly to their spot and happily play with their toy in Grandma's house! They know that Grandma's house is just an extension of their house, and I believe it comforts them to know that!

There is nothing that warms my heart more than the special bond I have with my grandchildren. I recommend you find that special action, word, song, dance, book, or any other little connection that causes that big, full of wonder and love look, and treasure and cultivate it!

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