Gran Courses/Gran Preparation

If you're in such desperate need of tuition, what makes you think you're capable of delivering it?
Bit like politicians knowing better than educators what's actually needed in schools! IE theory not practice.
As a retired teacher and a GM I'm afraid I would not encourage this, however entrepreneurial, unless you could show some significant level of experience and training.
Sorry to rain on your parade but please rethink this!

I wouldn't deliver this personally. I have worked in an FE College and there are some fantastic Tutors who would do a top job. You are right, I could never do this!

I relied on my experience as a mother and guidelines (very few!) from my DC and DIL.
Fads may change in child-rearing, but babies and children do not.

I think that a First Aid course is of value and I did attend one when I was working.

eg feeding 'fussy toddlers' - be guided by the parents but also by your own experience.

Luckily, my DGC are not that fussy.

I'm retired and the idea of going on a course to prepare me for being a grannie sent shivers down my spine. I enjoyed courses related to work (most of them), I enjoy learning new things but - being a grannie is a follow from all the other roles I managed to stagger through in the past 70 years. So not for me, thank you muchly.

I would absolutely not appreciate grandparents going on "fussy toddler feeding courses" and luckily my kids GPs would never dream of doing so! They are guided by their GCs parents re what/how to feed them!

My children had totally different food issues and requirements from each other

I was guided by my own GP and health visitor and it would have been a problem if one of the GPs was all over zealous and full of "advice" fron some course they wanted to then practice on my kids. Nope.

First aid is a good idea but I wouldn't be interested in the rest. Anything taught in a course may well go against what your grandchild's parents want so that could lead to conflict.

I've always taken my cues from my children, their baby, their methods, and I'm more than happy to follow their rules.

No thank you!

First Aid is a good idea but I wouldn't have gone to one that was only aimed at Grannies

I think the problem may be ‘there is not a ones size fits all’ where families are concerned. I have been a childminder for 16 years, raised 3 children and helped care for 8 Grandchildren. With all this experience, I am still learning, because ideas change all the time. Every child is different and has different needs.

Looking after other people’s children falls in to 2 very distinct categories. Paid professionals who can offer guidance because they have qualifications. Then there are the family members who help out. Most Grandparents fall into the latter category and the wise ones will be guided by the parents as they know their own child best and what works in their family dynamic.

As grandparents we have experience, and we have resources to help us understand children’s needs. The main source of our knowledge though, will come from the parents themselves. I doubt many of us would want to go on a course especially not 18 hours.

It was interesting that you used the phrase “giving feedback” and communication problems. We don’t give feedback. We talk about what we did with the children, if there has been a problem we discuss it like adults, with the best interest of the children at heart.

I am sorry if this sounds negative and would be really interested in the opinions of others. Perhaps I will be proved to be in the minority.

One final question I would like to ask, if I may. You say that you lack some knowledge and I expect that is what’s prompted you to think of this course. Are you willing to share what you have struggled with?

Lastly, maybe navigating around the minefield of communication with the parents when giving feedback.

Its quite easy. Don't. Give advice when its asked. Contact professionals if there are serious concerns. Thats it really, not a 6 weeks course worth!

I can't imagine going on a course to learn how to be a good grandparent . I found that my own experience at parenting was a pretty good basis, plus good communication with the children's parents , all worked well for me.

I've found that the best thing is to do anything the parents ask me to, don't express any negative opinions, and just enjoy the time with my GC.

I honestly wouldn't be interested in any of the subjects mentioned except maybe first aid, but that's a good idea for anyone.

"Its quite easy. Don't. Give advice when its asked. Contact professionals if there are serious concerns. Thats it really, not a 6 weeks course worth!"

But some GPs don't understand this, and, IMO, could use a class to discuss this. Also, it might be a good idea for new GPs to become familiar w/ some of the recent changes in childcare, as long as they understand that, in some cases, the parents may choose to do things differently than that.

I agree that probably wouldn't take up 6 weeks time though. However, note that the OP also mentioned including First Aid, self-care and Pilates, etc. It seems like a lot to include in one course, but perhaps that's why she's talking about 6 weeks.

My goodness me, what a lot of doomsayers.

I think it's a splendid idea LeeB146 and pioneering too. I'd go ahead and work with it as you go along.

Start with a very casual discussion session over tea and biscuits and let people design the course with you, according to what each participant feels they want to learn. From such small acorns.....

It will encourage grandparents or soon-to-be grandparents; you can swap war stories and laugh at failures. You'll build on your course and be the supportive hub of a wonderful learning wheel.

Many, many years ago (60's) I started a cookery class for Indian and Pakistani ladies and everyone told me there'd be no takers, 'Why would they want to learn about British cooking?'

We began with 3 ladies all of whom felt they would broaden their outlook on English culture if they knew more about the food.

We ended up with 30 women in two classes and it proved one of the most popular of all the Adult Learning courses term after term.

I believe there are many grandparents out there who simply want a little guidance and support from others and to be better at what they're doing.

So you go ahead boldly LeeB146 and very good luck to you.

Thank you Bradford Lass 72. Good to have some positive and encouraging comments! The tea and biscuits session is a good idea. Fun and laughter are an important part as well as meeting other Gran's and learning.

I have met other Grandparents at toddler music groups and some have gone from retirement into helping with their Grandchildren most of the week. A few are really struggling in one or two areas.

Your cookery classes sound fantastic!

If you're using us as a focus group then please look at the posts as showing informed reservations. Not so much doomsayers as realists.

Being a Grannie/Grandparent etc is not a job, or a vocation - its all about the relationship you have created with your adult child and (if there is one) their partner..
There are just no hard and fast rules, it depends on the family dynamics, geography, the health of both parties (and to some extent wealth)....I'd be very wary of trying to categorise any part of being a Grandparent....for one thing it leads to expectations of what is the 'correct' way to do anything from both sides.
As a parent you slowly develop the grown up relationship you have with your child...and even that will change and evolve over time. Then a baby comes into it....and a whole load of more adaptations take place. Its their baby and you just happen to become a 'Grandparent' so you must take your cue from them.
As to the actual caring....if you are a grandparent who is involved in the day to day care....and hopefully its a totally mutually compatible arrangement
then perhaps a bit of top up first aid might be useful (as advise changes quite frequently)...but apart from that if you have successfully and cheerfully brought up your own children to be happy healthy parents....then to be honest would it not be a case of .....'teaching Grannie to suck eggs'?

I think there are some general grandparenting courses that focus primarily on first aid and things that may have changed since the GPs had their children - safe sleeping guidelines and feeding guidelines (i.e. for babies), for example.

I think these are helpful, simply because some of the guidelines have been updated. For example, back in the day many mums were told to feed their babies only every 4 hours and to put them to sleep on their tummies to prevent reflux. We now know that babies should be fed on demand and that it is not unusual for them to need to be fed every hour, at least at first. We also know that putting babies to sleep on their backs lowers the risk of SIDS.