Traits That Make A Grandparent The Clear Favorite

1. They're super patient

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The best grandparents who are the favorite with grandchildren are the ones who are super patient. Sometimes parents have such hectic lifestyles, trying to juggle family life and a career that they don't always have endless amounts of patience. But the grandparent can be that person for the grandchild.

2. They actually LISTEN

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Kids just LOVE to be listened to. They want to talk, to tell them about what's interesting them, even if it makes absolutely zero sense to anybody else. A favorite grandparent will be the one who listens to them and allows them that space and freedom to share their thoughts.

3. They spend a lot of time with their grandkids

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It's not about the gifts or the treats, those things are loved but they're not what truly matters. What matters is the time that you give them. One of the most important traits of a favorite grandparent will be those who give them the time and put the time into being there for them and with them.

4. They are playful

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Kids absolutely love to play. It's their favorite thing to do and it's the way they learn new skills and develop. So if they can have their grandparents pay along with them...you're the favorite! A grandparent who plays with their grandkids will undoubtedly be the favorite.

5. They don't try and interfere TOO much

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Grandparents and parents represent two different generations, not to mention they're different people so they are going to have some differing views on how to bring up their child. Grandparents should advise, but they should draw the boundaries and not interfere too much.

6. They're very empathetic

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When a child thinks of their grandparent they think of them with love, warmth, and affection because they have been given huge amounts of empathy. That is a trait that can take you from grandparent to favorite grandparent. Children are very perceptive of people who are empathetic towards them.

7. They have unconditional love

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The best thing you can give a child is love and unconditional love. If a grandchild received unconditional love from their grandparent then there truly is nothing else they can ask for. They'll be the favorite because children just want to be loved and adored.

8. They share stories

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Grandparents are storytellers. I'm sure those of us who were lucky enough to have relationships with our grandparents have very fond memories of being sat listening to stories; stories of their life and past experiences. Storytelling is one of those things that grandparents just do best!

9. They are a mentor

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If a grandparent is a mentor for their grandchild, they can guide them and give them advice and help them to navigate the world. They'll feel supported on their journey and without a doubt this is a trait that is going to make a grandparent the clear favorite...

10. They are generous

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When we picture the perfect grandparent, it's someone who is generous. Not with gifts, but generosity with time and affection are the most important gifts you can give. And okay, a couple of treats thrown in can't do any harm! But generosity is something a child will feel.

11. They don't judge!

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A grandparent can be that person a child can go to when they want to talk and know that they won't be judged. A trait that makes a grandparent the clear favorite is when the child feels that they have their unwavering support that comes without judgment.

12. They're supportive

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Children want to feel supported and it's important that they do. To be the clear favorite grandparent it's pretty easy... give your child support and be there for them. It's one of the most important and meaningful things a grandparent can do for their grandchild.

13. They encourage their grandkids

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Who doesn't love feeling encouraged? Especially children. If you are there to encourage your children through whatever they want to do and whatever they are working towards, your grandchild will appreciate it, especially as they get older and realize that you were there for them.

14. They're great bakers

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Okay, we had to throw this one in here because, for a lot of us, we associate our grandparents with tasty cakes and baking days! There's something so wholesome about baking with your grandparents and there's no one else in the world who can cook a better cake than your own grandparent.

15. They give unbiased advice

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Often when we turn to people for advice there may be a motive behind it, perhaps to steer u in a certain direction for example. But to be the favorite grandparent give the unbiased advice that nobody else provides. Your grandchild will appreciate it more than you know.

16. They provide comfort for their grandchildren

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We all like comfort, from being born to growing up. Children especially are creatures of comfort and a trait of a grandparent who is the clear favorite is when they provide all the comfort their grandchild needs. This creates a sense of security and love for the child.

17. They're kind and compassionate

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One of the most important traits of a grandparent who will be the clear favorite is kindness and compassion. These are both traits that children pick up on and recognize. It is what makes a child feel connected to you and makes them feel that they can trust you.

18. They teach them traditions

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It's a very special thing to have a bond with a grandparent because they can pass down not only stories but also traditions. Traditions from generations before now often have more importance and passing these down can keep them alive which is very important for children.

19. They bridge the generational gap

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Grandparents are from different generations, yet they are bridging that gap between them and their grandchildren. The best kind of grandparents keeps their traditions yet they open up to the modern ways of their grandchild and try and be the bridge between the two.

20. They support their parent's decisions

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Grandparents should support their children's decisions so that they do not end up isolating them. Grandparents who are overbearing can end up pushing them away and isolating them, rather than supporting them and offering advice when it is necessary to do so.

21. They take part in their hobbies

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Not all grandparents can take part on all of their children's hobbies. But they can find hobbies that they can do together and hobbies that they CAN join in with. This is extremely good bonding time which strengthens their relationship and will make them a clear favorite!

22. They have a strong bond and friendship with their grandchild

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A grandparent who is a clear favorite has not only an extremely close bond with their grandchild but a friendship. They laugh together and enjoy each other's company and nurture their similarities and interests in hobbies that they both love doing together.

23. They teach important life lessons

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Who can teach you important life lessons better than a grandparent? No one. They've lived a life already, seen things, done things, and had experiences that have given them the knowledge that even their parents don't have yet. So a grandchild will appreciate these life lessons being taught, even if they don't at that very moment.

24. They embrace the different aspects of their grandchild's personality

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Life for a kid can be pretty tough when it comes to establishing your own personality and accepting and embracing different aspects of your personality. Especially when these are different from other people. A favorite grandparent will be that person who embraces and loves every aspect of their grandchild's personality.

25. They are accommodating

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Grandparents are usually the ones who work around the hectic schedules of their children and their children's children! They are accommodating and flexible s and they can be there as much as possible whenever they need to be. This is the trait of a clear favorite!

26. They introduce them to new experiences

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When a child grows up they will look back on the memories with their favorite grandchild and remember all of the new experiences that they introduced them to. Grandparents are the people who have the time and knowledge to show them experiences that nobody else could!

27. They are forgiving

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Grandparents are super forgiving. They've already had their children and been parents so they've learned the art of forgiving and forgetting. Children at any age make mistakes, and so a grandparent is the most forgiving because they've already witnessed their own children make the same mistakes too!

28. They provide a sense of safety and belonging

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For a child to feel safe and feel like they belong is so important for their stability and happiness. There's something about a grandparent that gives us a sense of peace. If a grandparent proved that safe space and the warm comforting arms, they're going to be a favorite forever.

29. They celebrate their achievements

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When a child achieves something (no matter how small it is) they want to be celebrated. It's a way of learning through positive reaffirmation and it's one of the ways they gain confidence. So a kid is going to absolutely love grandparents who are their biggest cheerleaders.

30. They teach them to appreciate the simple joys

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There's something super important about being able to enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life. This is something that your grandparent can teach you better than anything. In a generation that can be full of materialism, the best grandparents can show that happiness comes from the simple things in life!