The Three Minute Grandparent: Authority

The power to influence or command thought, opinion or behavior, or a person in command.  In parenting, this would be someone who has the right to make decisions.  Grandparents have used authority to make decisions for their children during growing up years and at times have used designated authority to make decisions for grandchildren. 

Decisions?  What type of decisions?  Bedtimes, mealtimes, clothing choice, friends, church and school attendance, free time, and discipline.  Parents make decisions with an ultimate goal in mind; independence and passing that authority on to the child as growth occurs.  Children need to be under authority during the formative years; parents need to display and exert authority over their children with this thought, their authority should work on a descending scale as the child grows.  Each child should begin to exert self governing techniques and make decisions for themselves; the mantle of authority is passed on to the child as maturity takes place, the child becomes the parent and the grandparent loses authority which has been a vital part of his/her life and purpose. 
Where does the grandparent turn in order to exercise his/her wealth of knowledge?  Is authority still a part of the grandparents’ life?  You bet it is but it will probably look different.  Grandparents still need to be with children, especially grandchildren and we show authority differently: with some children we will take lots of walks, others want stories read while older grandchildren prefer cooking lessons or just talking about the state of our country in response to a class in school.  Grandchildren just want our presence, they want US.  Grandparents enjoy children and want to share those skills learned through years of parenting. How about it parents? 

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