May 27, 2008

Our other blog about grandparenting

Please come see us at our new GrandparentsTLC blog! We continue the discussions there. We are also focusing more on helping grandparents learn about cool technologies that they can use to connect with their grandchildren.

We live in a marvelous age of technology. But sometimes it can be intimidating: the Internet, email new websites, inventions, cool tools, state-of-the-art, newfangled gadgets, and other technology. That’s why we offer free information and tutorials that show you exactly how to use stuff. You don’t have to be left out! You want to enjoy the 21st century with your grandkids.

So, we will leave this blog in place, but we won’t be posting here anymore. So come on over to our new and improved grandparenting blog.

See you there in a second!

Shayne and Tanda Packer
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Grandparents providing financial support

Grandparents are increasingly providing vital funds for their grandchildren, new research shows.

A survey published by Kidstart today shows that 64 per cent of grandparents regularly provide financial contributions to their grandchildren whether it be weekly pocket money or for big-ticket items.

As prices continue to rise, today's survey finds that parents increasingly have to rely on their own parents for financial assistance in looking after their children.

Two thousand parents and grandparents were asked what financial contributions they had made towards their child or grandchild in the last 12 months. More than one in three of the grandparents polled claimed that they regularly bought items of clothing and toys for their grandchildren.

A similar amount said that they provided pocket money, a figure matched by the children's parents. 

Almost one in five grandparents said in the survey that they had bought or helped finance their grandchild's first car and one in ten claimed they helped fund their education. One in ten also said that they had helped their grandchildren get into a house.

What do you think? Have you bought things for your grandkids? Have you helped them financially? Do you think there is any potential harm it doing so. Feel free to add your comment here.

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May 23, 2008

Welcome to our grandparenting blog!

We are Shayne and Tanda Packer. We have 5 adult children, 3 girls and 2 boys. The girls all decided to get married in the same (expensive) year! Then came the year of the 3 grandsons! Now we have 8 grandchildren. Our grandchildren, as you might have guessed, are the delight of our lives. Since they all live in different parts of the United States, this creates a great longing to spend as much time together as possible, even if it's through mail, or technology such as the telephone, videophone, and internet.

On this blog we post ideas and tips for grandparents that are designed to help strengthen your grandparent-grandchild relationship. Enjoy!

Shayne & Tanda Packer