Are You an Avid Cheerleader for your Grandchildren?

Grandparents can be great encouragers or cheerleaders when their grandchildren get discouraged, lack self-confidence, and low self-esteem. Many of our grandchildren are in an online school, some find it difficult, but others don’t mind it. They miss their friends and look forward to returning to the classroom. They often face lots of homework, activities, disappointments, challenges, and fears. Their friends may disappoint them. 

Encouragement is inspiring another person with hope, courage, or confidence. It means ‘to give courage to’ a person, reassure them, spur them on, and support their efforts to succeed. A definition for a cheerleader is to be an uncritical enthusiastic supporter. 

One of the valuable blessings that we can give our grandchildren is to be their cheerleader. Their enthusiasm and energy levels may be low, which may drain their emotional batteries if they are discouraged and don’t feel good about themselves. They tend to focus on their discouragement rather than the encouraging promises of the Lord. 

When my grandchildren were younger, they loved to watch the Gaither children’s video, “I’m Something Special.” I especially liked the words in the song, “I am a promise, a possibility, a potentiality, I can be what God wants me to be,” 

Go to U-Tube, “I am a Promise” (An excellent video for younger grandchildren)

Let’s pray our grandchildren will understand they are a promise, a possibility, and a potentiality under construction. 

As grandparents, let’s be their cheerleaders, encouraging them with positive words such as:

“Keep up the great work!”

“I admire your persistence.”

“I know you can do it.” 

“You’ve put a lot of work into this, and it shows.”

“I want you to succeed. May I help you?”

Encouragement is always a welcomed gift.

By Lillian Penner, Christian Grandparenting Network staff, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net