Grandparenting in Stark Co.

How often do you see your grandkids?

If you live within the same area or county as your grandchildren, you really should interact with your grandchildren at least once a month. What is your normal activity with your grandkids? Do you take them for 4 hours, 8 hours, overnight? What do you think is normal? What do you think is neglect or minimal effort? 

Its easy to assume all grandparents are going to be the same, believe me they're not. You definitely don't always want to go over the top for your grandkids, you want them of course, to be grateful and not expect a handout from Mom/Dad/Grandma/Grandpa right? Right. You also don't want to hand them an empty birthday card either. You do what you can with that you have. 

In regard to able bodied grandparents giving no effort, shame on you. Able-bodied means you're able to work and live your life independently, you're not a grandma on dialysis times a week. Therefore, you need to look inward at why you aren't showing up for your grandchildren. You can do things for free in Stark Co. I'm calling out the grandparents that won't ditch cable or Netflix to take their grandkids out once a month for some ice cream. 

Even if you are the type of grandparent that doesn't want anything to do with the kids but would like them to attend a college in the future, then start a 529 plan.  That's up to 18 years of savings for your grandchild to get the training they need to do well! Even if you only put $20 a month in a 529 plan for 18 years that is $4,320 before any growth. Right now in 2024, you need about $12,000 to cover the tuition for an Associates degree at Stark State. If a trade school is more for their skillset, great, you will likely be able to use those funds for the trade school as well. For your contribution to a 529 plan, you get some great tax benefits too. If school isn't for your grandchild, they can withdraw the money, pay the tax on it, and put it into a retirement plan at age 18, what a nice jumpstart that will be for them. 

For grandparents over 60, yes your income is more limited, your body is limited, maybe your visits are more scarce but, I hope this article helps you easily find the free and low cost options. 

For grandparents younger than 60, you are able-bodied and capable of budgeting a bit more fun money. Mom and dad aren't asking you to raise their kids for them, they're asking for one break a month. Consider who was and wasn't there for you when it was your turn to raise a child, maybe someone did give you a break maybe you never got a break. 

It is not out of line to ask to take your grandchildren once a month. Since we spent so much time reviewing what's not enough, what is too much? Too much grandkids is when you feel extra financial stress, when you can't relax or do the things you need to do for yourself. That is when there is an imbalance for too much. Setting boundaries is difficult but not impossible. 

As I said you don't have to over do it but some effort is better than zero effort always. 

No more excuses! Let this article help you set the correct path for yourself and your grandchildren. 

Below is a list of activities that are low to no cost and nothing on this page is over $100 for a family of four.  

Activities you can do with your grandchildren

During the summer, the kids are out of school for around 12 weeks. That's one Saturday or Sunday a week you can take the kid's off their parents hands and do something fun while not breaking the bank to do so. Once a month is also acceptable!

1. Visit the best playgrounds in the area? Have you been to Price park, Dogwood Park, Boettler Park?

2. Go to local museums, often time there are senior discounts or free/low cost entry for those with SNAP benefits.

3. Splash pads -  Free water playground for the kids! Here are three in the Stark county area. Older kids, swim at Massillon Rec which does cost money but is reasonable.  

4. Have a lunch date at a Mcdonalds Playplace, teens- lunch date at the mall!

5. Get popcorn, candy and have a movie night, learn what movies the kids like and why. Ask questions before and after. 

6. Bake cookies together

7. Pack water and supplies in a backpack, go on a nature hike or even have a picnic. 

8. Visit the zoo, there are usually senior discounts, certain days have other discounts

9. Go to an area festival. 8 months out of the year in Ohio there is a festival or fair going on in the area. Support local businesses and keep the kids entertained. 

10. Shop at a farmer's market together

11. Take the kids out for a ice cream, sit outside, bring some extra napkins. 

12. Play a card game like uno, go fish, old maid. Teach more complicated games as your grandchild ages. 

13. Go swimming, Open Swim at the YMCA is a low cost easy way to have fun. 

14. In this age of tablets and video games, its hard to let kids be patient enough for a board game. Ask them to show you what their favorite games on their tablets are and ask how it works, how to play etc. Take time to teach the age appropriate board games too. 

10 ways to be a fabulous grandparent

1. Ask rather than answer. Of course you know the answers you've been around for awhile, but ask the child about something and ask why is it happening. This helps them ask and understand more.

2. Get silly. What's that on your shirt? Its Tickles! Tickle attack. Play with puppets, dolls/action figures etc. 

3. Beware grandparent rivalry, don't compete just relax. 

4. Be mellow about mess. Kids make messes, be prepared and set them up for success rather than failure.

5. Do things, don't just give things. Experiences are better than purchases!

6. Don't be a burden. Take care of yourself first, be smart and ask yourself about the what ifs at this stage in your life and see where you can be better prepared. This stage of your life can be really scary at times, admit your fears, take charge and handle your affairs so your family doesn't have difficulty later on. The first step is to organize all your important documents in one secure place. 

7. Avoid playing favorites. That's gross. If you can't treat them equally, neither need whatever it is that youre trying to give to one. Life isn't fair enough already, you don't need to add to the "life isn't fair pile" 

8. Take the lead. Mom and Dad are not perfect, spot where they struggle and gently be the leader where they need help. Yes taking the lead may always mean you must initiate contact to be included like oh baby just took their first steps? Can I come over Saturday for a short visit to see my grandbaby? Yes the door goes both ways but events are moving typically much faster in mom/dads life and grandparents are easily missed in inclusion. Its not usually personal, its just that mom/dad expect you to show up without asking. 

9. Be your grandchild's confidante - you have a different perspective than the parent!

10. Store and share family memories - look at photo albums together and share stories especially with older grandchildren. Purchase a good quality notebook and write down your stories.