Growing up, in my family, when my mother heard that company was going to drop by at the spur of the moment, she would scream and run to get the vacuum cleaner. There was a true look of panic on her face.
I don’t react the EXACT same way when I hear that my kids and grandkids are coming for a visit, but I do have a multifaceted routine that I follow to accommodate my loveable mini-me’s.
Let’s start with infants. If your kids and grandkids are flying in to visit, they’re not able to bring a lot of the equipment needed to care for an infant. I would suggest investing in a pack ‘n play or porta-crib. There are many different models, and most fold up into a compact package that really helps us grandparents who are storage-challenged. It’s also nice to have some diapers and wipes purchased in advance and waiting for them (be sure to ask what size diaper the baby is currently wearing as diapers come in sizes!)
I have also found that having on hand, what I call, a “bouncy bouncy” (I think the official name is an infant bouncer seat). If you have a fussy infant, a bouncy bouncy can keep you from going crazy crazy!
As the kids got a little older, my portable highchair has been a lifesaver. It folds up into a slim carrier (similar to the pack ‘n play) and can be easily tucked away.
Then comes the toddler stage – when the little minions get mobile and the stress of keeping track of them skyrockets! Now childproofing is coming into play.
When you reach the grandparent stage, you have usually lived in an “empty nest” for years. You’ve accumulated chachkas and furniture you would have never owned raising kids – porcelain statues, glass candle holders, crystal picture frames, etc. I know the edges of my new coffee table can be classified as “deadly weapons” and they need a lot of attention before I would feel comfortable having a toddler around the table. I discovered there are wonderful corner “bumper pads” for sharp edges within a toddler’s radius.
Here are some suggestions to consider:
- Put away all breakables that are within a toddler’s reach.
- Be mindful if your grandchildren have any allergies and make sure you remove all allergens.
- Remove cleaning supplies or even medicines from bottom cabinets in both your kitchen and bathroom.
- Or invest in cabinet locks for lower cabinets or use rubber bands to secure the knobs together.
- Three words – electrical outlet covers.
- A great investment is a few collapsible gates to gate off stairways and hallways.
- Rubber tiles can be put together to create a playmat to save your hardwood floors.
This is just a sampling of things you can do to prepare for a visit from the grandchildren. It’s a wonderful stage of life when you welcome new babies to your family. It’s exhilarating and it’s exhausting when they visit. I love it when they arrive, and I love it when they leave!