Have you ever noticed that in our culture there comes a time when adults discard their given names and instead make substations such as “Nana” and “Papa”? This name change marks the very celebrated rite of passage into the role of grandparenthood.
When my brother’s daughter was born, I watched my own parents transform from “Mom” and “Dad” to “Bebe” and “Pops.” I always knew they would be very loving and proud grandparents, which they are; however, I was completely fascinated to watch as the word “no” seemed to vanish from their vocabulary.
Grandparents are an amazing resource for wisdom, support, and encouragement for expecting parents. However, many grandparents quickly discover that the rules for newborn care have evolved much from the telephone to the smartphone. And just as our modern society has created a demand for services, Motherhood Center offers a Grandparent Refresher course that helps to merge the wisdom of past generations with the methods of the 21st century.
As the instructor of the Newborn Care Classes here at Motherhood Center, I have had the privilege of working with several grandparents-to-be. I have thoroughly enjoyed their enthusiasm and willingness to offer their help with everything from laundry and household chores to diapers and middle-of-the-night feedings.
I have also seen the peace of mind that new parents have in knowing that grandma and grandpa have been schooled in the new definition of the “right way” to do things. In fact, I had one eager, expecting Grandmother tells me she chose to attend the class just to make certain her name would be first on the list of approved babysitters.
If you are wondering whether things have really changed that much, here’s a pop-quiz that might help: Should you put newborns on their tummies to sleep? Is rice cereal recommended for newborns? Do bumpers make cribs safer for babies?
According to today’s medical experts, you might be surprised to learn that the answer to all of these questions is no. These topics, along with general newborn care tips such as diaper changing, umbilical cord care, and sponge baths are all covered in the grandparent class.
To register for the Grandparent Class, click here!
By: Meredith Stedham, RN, LPC
