Read each chapter to discover practical tips and heartwarming stories that will help you become a fantastic Papa. From baby care to bonding techniques, each section offers valuable insights for creating lasting memories with your grandchild.
From the day the baby is born, or at least from the first day you can get your hands on the baby, Papa should concentrate on establishing a personal relationship with his grandchild. Grandmothers seem to instinctively know everything to do. They
It is important for Papa to hold the baby firmly. The first time you pick up the baby and place them on your chest, make sure their head is on your right chest, near your right clavicle. Your right arm should wrap around their buttocks, creating a
Changing the baby’s diaper from day one gives your grandchildren a sense of who is taking care of them. They cry because their diaper is wet. Someone changes that diaper, cleans them up, puts on a dry diaper, and they are happy. You have to
Papas come in all varieties. Some men have worked at the top of their industries, giving orders and making decisions. Others have worked diligently for big companies. When I was in the military, I was once privileged to see how a general works. The
Playing with the baby is not hard, but it does require a bit of finesse. The key is to play what the baby wants to play, go where the baby wants to go, and assume the role assigned to you by the baby. This role-playing starts very early. You’re given a role, there
Grandchildren are fascinated by what Papa did when he was a boy. They can’t get enough of it as long as it is entertaining, well-told, real, original, and the truth. Well, maybe a little bit of color can be added, but it needs to be about Papa. A good friend
I love watching Cesar Millan, The Ultimate Dog Trainer, and his techniques for dealing with unruly dogs, frightened dogs, red zone dogs, etc. In many respects, Cesar has helped me understand my grandchildren. No, my grandkids are not
Learn the skills of diversion and distraction. Parents learn pretty quickly. If a child is upset and has a meltdown over some factor, divert his/her attention with a different goal for the child. Diversion is an art form, and it requires creativity and quick
Once, when we were out at dinner, my grandson Bobby, who was seven at the time, asked in a very soft and innocent voice, “Papa, can I have a Fanta?” I responded, “Fanta? What is that? Sure, why not.” I completely fell for it. Little did I know, as some
I remember watching an episode of Dr. Phil several years ago, which featured a woman who put a padlock on the refrigerator because she did not like the eating habits of the men in her family. Everyone in the audience looked on incredulously. Dr. Phil
Introducing the Papa Checklist – your ultimate guide to seamless babysitting. With 25 meticulously curated items, this checklist might seem overwhelming at first glance, but rest assured, many items will swiftly become second nature. The true
The doors to the little church were open. School children were walking by the church on their way home from school. They all stopped…. silently stood there looking in. Over…
Congratulations! You’ve navigated through your babysitting adventures, and now it’s time to ascend to the advanced level: Night Call. Rising in the night to comfort a distressed child is almost instinctual for most mothers worldwide, but it’s less so for
In my view, television can be a perfectly acceptable tool for grandparents, as it facilitates shared experiences between grandparent and grandchild. When watching TV together, they can explore the adventures of characters like Caillou, Kipper the
Now, you are ready for the next level: going out with the baby. In order to have a successful mission, you must have the right equipment. The Diaper Bag: A key tool for Papa is for him to have his own
Grandparents are perhaps a bit more suspect to a 4-year-old who is used to his parents being in charge, but at the same time, that child is relying on Papa to know where they are, how to get there, and how to get home. So, look up where you are going
We have already gone over some of this information in “Part Three: Discipline, Leadership, and Safety” (Chapters 8-10), but it is important to review again as the stakes are higher when you are out with the baby. Remember, the child is under your
One thing Papa has to remember is that kids change, and they change fast, which is exactly the opposite of Papa. Some Papas like to establish routines, get in a groove, and let the routine take over. For other Papas, the only way to remember all the stuff
As your grandchildren get older, they will want to have their friends sleep over. Usually, Moms are great at handling sleepovers, but if you want to show off your Papa Skills, you can offer to host the sleepover and give the parents a break. If you
When asked, “Papa, are you going to die?” my answer was, “Honey, I will always be watching over you, doing whatever I can to help you and to always love you. You will always be able to talk to Papa.”
As your grandchildren get older, they will ask even more hard questions. The best thing you can do is be honest and try to relate it to your own life. Remember that you want to keep your answers age-appropriate. Avoid “yes” or “no” answers. You want
There will come a time when the grandchildren will be fascinated by babies and how they get here. If they ask you, this is an easy one. “Angel, why don’t you ask your mom and dad?” It’s the parents’ call anyway as to how they want to explain that
It is common knowledge that little children are the most contagious little vectors of disease God ever created. They don’t quite understand at age 4 or 3, or even younger, that coughing 6 inches from your face is not the right thing to do. Giving you a
Just as a professional football player trains for his job, a boxer trains for his job, or a theater actor trains for his job, you must train for your new job as a grandfather. The physical demands can be significant in the face of various physical limitations. To
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