Among Friends

[house_cat]

It seems to me that the rules of parenting infants and child rearing have changed a lot in the last few decades.

Grandparents, are there any "new rules" of parenting that have left you scratching your head or biting your tongue?

[Still Raining]

Nothing new I can think of.  Just all families are different.

Most of all, MYOB unless asked.

[proudlyfromNJ]

None that I can think of even though I’m not a grandparent. Just going by what I see in my family. I believe there are some changes in every generation just as there always have been through time.

[chrystaltree]

When I became a grandmother, I was determined NOT to be like my mother and my mother in law.  I do what they want me to do, the way they want me to do it and keep my mouth SHUT.  No one wants to hear what I did when they were babies or what parenting was like 35 years ago.  

[Sooner]

I grew up when dinosaurs ruled the earth, but grandparents were my parent's parents and didn't have a say in how my parents parented me, nor were they  our imediate family.

They did not attend my school functions, but were involved in family meals and celebrations.  It surprises me today how in the mix of family affairs and grandchildren they are.  

To me, that is odd.  I liked our immediate family being the critical unit in my childhool.  And my parents were the deciders.  To me that's the way it should be. 

[Twins Mom]

Being grandparent for 5 years and I still feel I am walking a fine line.  Early on told not to post pics without permission.  I understand and respect policy but can't help feeling envy when other side of family posts on open sites.  Actually, she posted pic of baby before we got "official" call to leave for hospital.  

Another line concerns dietary restrictions.  Don't know if actual allergy or parental preferences.  Don't know how to pursue without possibly hurting feelings.

[Magny]

This is not original, but “ keep your mouth shut & your wallet open!”  Works very well!

[chrystaltree]

@Twins Mom 

Just feed the kids what they tell you to feed them and don't give them the foods they don't want them to have.  There's no reason to "pursue" anything.  

[PA Mom-mom]

@house_cat  I think the rules stay the same. You can confide in your daughter but not in your daughter in law - that's up to her mom. I've been a grandmother for 14 years, and I'm loving it. Give advice when asked for it earnestly, and love those kids forever!

[Foxxee]

Encourage your own children to homeschool their children. 

Choose a college very carefully.