Give Your Grandchild a Laptop - Yours!

My dad adored his grandchildren.

My dad was an amazing grandfather. He always insisted that the kids call him "Grandfather" because that was what he had called his beloved grandfather, and it felt right to him. He loved his grandchildren with abandon! And he was quick to invite a little one to sit on his lap. My husband and I have followed his example with our own grandchildren, although our grandparent names are a little less formal. My husband is "BopBop" or "Papa K" depending on which grandchild you're talking to. And I joyfully answer to "GiGi."

Your Grandchild Needs You, Not Electronics

Many parents (and grandparents) use technology as a babysitter. It's so easy....just hand your phone to the kid, and you can actually get something done. But researchers are finding that all that technology is actually hurting our children, not helping them. One of the wonderful things about being a grandparent is that you have more time to thoroughly enjoy your grandchildren than you did when you were in the middle of raising your family. You get to love on your grandbabies, then send them back home to Mom and Dad!

Papa K with our first grandson, Nicholas.

That's why it's so important to maximize the impact of your time with your grandchildren. Play with them. Engage them in conversation on their level. Read to them. And give them your laptop...not your computer, but your very own lap! There's nothing like the contentment of a squirmy toddler happily settling into his GiGi's lap. When a tired preschooler has a melt down, PaPa's lap is the perfect place for a calming moment. The kindergartner who is struggling to sound out the words as he reads a book to his Nana is right where he belongs on her lap.

Take advantage of the precious moments you have to make lifelong memories with your grandchildren. You have a unique opportunity to spend time reading life-changing books to the little ones on your lap. With a subscription to Great American Pureflix, you can cuddle with them as they watch VeggieTales, Bibleman, or Children's Heroes of the Bible. Keep a shelf full of age-appropriate games that you can play with them, helping them build reading and math skills while having fun.

Bop Bop with Jackson at our church.

"I Want to go to Gigi's House!!!"

One of the sweetest sounds to my ears is when my 6-year-old grandson tells his mom that he wants to come to our house. We try to have an overnight with him as often as we can. Even though neither my husband nor I are retired yet, spending as much quality time as possible with our grandchildren is a priority. We pray that the bedtime memories we make with him now as we read his picture Bible with him, then his new "Big Boy Bible," will last a lifetime.

Have you found special creative ways to engage your grandchildren? Please comment below to share your favorite grandparent tips with all our readers!