I have decided to make a report on grand-parenting dos and don’ts. I call it simply “Grand-parenting 101.” I’m going directly to the source for my information by contacting my children and my grandchildren in order to become educated on the subject - especially from the grandchildren. What GPs should and shouldn’t do. So far, I’ve received many thoughts on the subject. If you have any suggestions please e-mail me.

Lesson 1 - I’ve been told several times “you are a GRAND parent - NOT a PARENT.” Wow. How can my children - who are, in my eyes, still CHILDREN - raise their children - MY grandchildren? Oh yes - I forgot that my wife and I raised our children to be good caring people, loving and trustworthy people, helpful and nurturing people and to make mature, adult decisions. Therefore, if we did OUR job correctly - my grandchildren are in very good hands and so are yours.

Lesson 2 - My oldest grand-daughter - age 23 - told me that GPs should make it a point to see their grandchildren as often as possible regardless of the age of those grandchildren. Interesting. I figured that after they’ve reached a certain age grandparents wouldn’t be as needed as they were when the kids were small. Look how wrong we can be. So, spend time with and, of course, money on them and just be there for them even if they don’t ask.

More lessons to follow.