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This is a (printer friendly) extract from The Contact a Family website, which is one of the leading information resources for families of disabled children and those who work with them. The full online version of this page can be found at
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/families/familyissues/grandparents/tips.html
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Tips from grandparents

Get involved
 

Grandparents often feel afraid and don't quite know how to help or how to get involved. It doesn't always mean providing physical help but perhaps getting involved in fundraising for a local group for example. Sometimes it is easier to back off, but if you're flexible and prepared to think around the situation, there might just be something you can do which helps. Sometimes it is the little things that matter like taking your son or daughter out to lunch, doing the shopping or babysitting so they can take a bath in peace.

  • be led by the parents - they will tell you what they need
  • accept that advice won't always be welcome from you
  • just be there
  • try to understand the impact of the disability
  • remember that the caring goes on after you are no longer around
  • if it doesn't help, don't say it
  • don't be oversensitive - sometimes parents will need someone to let off steam to
  • offer help, don't wait to be asked, but be sensitive
  • focus on the child, not on the diagnosis
  • respect that parents need to strive for the best potential of their child and acceptance of the child's disability may take a long time for the parents
  • encourage the child to have age-appropriate dress and appearance
  • information is very important to find and to share
  • jump in with both feet
  • you can't generalise about disability
  • don't neglect the siblings - they have special needs too
  • if you have money, give them money now to buy help now, don't wait to leave it to them in your will.

For more tips and views like these download our Grandparents guide.

 

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