How to Develop Those “Joyful Grandparent” Habits

Last week we looked at 10 Habits of Joyful Grandparents. If you missed it, you can read the post HERE.

10 Habits of Joyful Grandparents

1. Keep God #1
2. Do ALL Things unto Christ
3. Keep an Eternal Focus
4. Practice Gratitude
5. Choose to be Joyful
6. Refuse to Compare
7. Take Care of Your Marriage
8. Take Care of Yourself
9. Say “No” So You Can Say “Yes”
10. Ask for Help

As you read through the list, did you find yourself saying, “Yes, Yes! But now that I am aware, I could use some help?” “How does one keep an eternal focus?” “What are some ideas for saying ‘no’ so I can say ‘yes?’”

Great questions! This week let’s dive a little deeper and share a few ideas for establishing each habit.

Ideas for Establishing the Habits of Joyful Grandparents

Keep God #1

• Spend time with God, daily.
• Pray.
• Engage with His Word.
• Meditate on Scripture.
• Observe a Sabbath – whether it be one day a week, an hour a day, or ten minutes an hour. Rest. Be still.

Do ALL things unto Christ

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,“

Colossians 3:23

• Memorize Colossians 3:23 and recite it when your thoughts need to be redirected.
• With intentionality and purpose, perform one of your daily chores “as for the Lord and not for men.”
• Call your grandchild, mail a note, or send a text “as for the Lord.”
• While cooking dinner, folding laundry, or running the vacuum cleaner, pray for each of your grandchildren and adult children.

Keep an eternal focus

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.“

1 Corinthians 10:31

Learn to ask yourself questions about the activities in your life:

• Why am I spending time on this?
• Does it draw me closer to Christ?
• Am I doing this for selfish reasons?
• Is it helping me build meaningful relationships?
• Does it share the love of Christ with others?
• Are my reasons for engaging in this Christ-honoring?
• Is this a frivolous use of time or does it bring glory to God?

Practice gratitude

• Be on the lookout for gifts from God. Thank Him out loud each time one comes to mind.
• Keep a Gratitude journal.
• Share the things you are thankful for on social media.
• Frame a pretty sheet of paper. Using a dry erase marker, write your “thanks” on it each morning.
• Write a thank-you letter to God.
• Pray your own benedictions (brief statements that recognize the good that comes from God). Make a list of things you are grateful to God for providing. Then go back and pray each one beginning with the words, “Blessed are You, O Lord….”

Choose to be joyful

• Ask God to do a “Joy” work in your heart.
• Create a “Joy” playlist.
• Choose a song from your playlist and turn it up loud.
• Memorize “Joy” verses and recite them throughout the day.
• Decorate your home with “Joy.” (Hang Scriptures, quotes, and words of “Joy” throughout your home.)

Refuse to compare

• Limit your use of social media.
• When you find your thoughts are in “comparison mode,” take a hard STOP. Turn your focus toward your own blessings.
• Remind yourself that there is no need for comparison because you are already seated with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)

Take care of their marriage

• Schedule a date night, regularly.
• What speaks love to your husband? Think of one thing and do it.
• Encourage him with words of affirmation.
• Plan some “technology-free” time together each day.

Take care of themselves

• Forgive yourself when you mess up.
• Set aside 15 minutes to do something you enjoy.
• Go for coffee with a friend.
• Take a nap.
• Get 8-9 hours of sleep each night.
• Find some form of exercise you enjoy (or can tolerate) and spend at least 30 minutes a day in exercise.
• Establish healthy eating habits.

Say “no” so they can say “yes”

• Put down your phone. Be present with your grandchild/adult child.
• Pray about it before answering with a “yes.” (Will it bring glory to God? Does it advance His Kingdom? Is God inviting you into this work?)
• Employ the mantra, “If it’s not a definite “Yes,” it’s a “No.”

 Ask for help

• Get real with those in your intimate circle. Let them know when you need help.
• Take a deep breath, then go ask that sister in Christ if she will walk alongside you through whatever difficulty or growth need you are currently facing. (Frame your request with a time period – three months, six months, one year. The time can always be extended but helps make the asking and the accepting a bit easier.)
• See another grandparent doing something well? Go ahead, reach out. Ask them to mentor or help you in that area.

One Final Thought

If you or a grandparent you know is currently in that season where the JOY has ebbed and it’s time to stand and fight, we have one more resource to help – the I Choose Joy 30-Day Challenge for Grandparents. The Challenge is simple, doable, and FUN. Engage in one “action” item per day, each targeted to one of the 10 Habits of Joyful Grandparents. Download your FREE PDF – HERE.