Grammy on the Go
Meet Our New Columnist
Karen Shadrach is an on-the-go, in-the-know grandmother of two sets of twins, and she’s our new NEO Grandparent columnist. Her grandkids Jefferson and Tyler are four; Abigail and Brianna just turned two.
In addition to writing a column for us, Karen will blog on our website northeastohiothrive.com. Prior to retirement, she worked within the Cleveland Clinic Health System for 33 years, both as a Registered Medical Technologist and a Lead Research Technologist in the Ophthalmic Research Department. Now retired(?), she spends most of her time babysitting-teaching and entertaining the twins.
When she’s not grandmothering, Karen spends time with friends, plays flute in the Independence community band, is a member of the Cleveland Astronomy Society and walks her basset hounds, Tucker and Herman.
Do you have grandparenting questions about where to go and what to do when you get there? Email Karen at [email protected].
Does the thought of taking the grandkids to the park seem overwhelming and not worth the effort? Think again, because creating wonderful and special memories is what makes being a grandparent so rewarding.
All children enjoy spending time with their grandparents, but a trip to the park can make that time extra special, plus burn off a lot of their boundless energy.
We have two sets of twins in our family that I regularly watch: girls who are two and boys who are four. If we don’t go out somewhere at least three times a week, things can get pretty hectic at home.
So, choose a park close by and pack-up and go. The great thing is that there are many nice playgrounds and parks around the Cleveland/Akron area and they are all free.
Early Start
I have found that beginning your park adventure early in the day has the advantages of a less crowded park, close parking, children that are not yet tired and whiny and cooler weather in the summertime.
Pack your diaper bag with all the essentials and be sure to include an extra set of clothes per child. Also, throw in sweatshirts and hats for unpredictable weather. Since this diaper bag will become heavy and cumbersome, I always carry a backpack with only the minimal diaper necessities, lunch and snacks. It is much easier carrying this on your back and most importantly, leaves both hands free. Leave that diaper bag in your van.
Keep your picnic food simple and resist the urge to over-pack. The kids will usually be too excited and distracted to eat a large lunch. I usually pack a small sandwich, a piece of fruit (or one of those squeezable fruit pouches) and a few cookies. Most of the preparations can be completed the night before, making getting out the door easier and almost stress-free. Pack empty sippy cups, take paper cups for those that can handle it and fill with milk or juice as needed. These are less heavy to carry and leave no dripping mess. Remember the hand wipes and Kleenex.
It is important to try your best to keep to the children’s regular schedules. If they are used to having a bottle or snack at 10, stop play for a little rest and rejuvenate. Lunchtime at noon? Stop and have your picnic at that time. Always leave the park before the children become exhausted-meltdowns are not pretty and especially difficult for grandparents to handle.
Our naptime is 1, so we are leaving the park at 12:30. After announcing a five-minute warning, save an extra cookie or snack item…it always works to coerce them into the van for the drive home.
Have fun. Create your memory and enjoy your day at the park.
