Staying Active with Your Grandchildren

For many people, grandchildren are the ultimate reward in life. Grandchildren can introduce a new sense of energy and adventure that can be the source of great happiness. They also present wonderful opportunities to remain active and keep us moving as we get older.  Being able to spend time with grandchildren and stay active with them can often be a challenge, as our bodies grow older and muscles and joints do not seem to function as they once did. The trick is finding the right activities that are still engaging for your grandchildren, but also physically possible for you. Here are some ideas of how you can stay active with your grandchildren no matter what age they are: For Toddlers: Toddlers are especially fun to spend time with as a grandparent because everything they are seeing and doing is pretty new for them. Even the simplest activity can be quite an experience for toddlers. Be warned…they will keep you moving! Get out the stroller and take your grandchild for a walk around the neighborhood or through a local park. They also love riding in their child seat on a bicycle ride. Simple pretending games and songs with hand motions can keep toddlers entertained for quite a while. Their young brains are developing quickly and games or activities with repetition help to facilitate their learning. When They Start School: As your grandchildren begin to grow up and go to school, you will find that the activities they are interested in will change as they mature. Kids who are into sports will love spending time playing catch with their grandparent. Now that they are a little older, they can ride their own bike while you ride yours. Of course, a grandchild will never outgrow their love of being pushed on a swing at the park by their grandma or grandpa. You might even try playing one of their fitness video games and see how you do. Teenage Grandchildren: Now the trick is finding an activity that is both stimulating physically and mentally. Teenagers are more picky about what they do and who they spend their time with. Start by suggesting activities such as hiking, fishing, golf, or tennis. Be willing to get in the swimming pool on occasion to spend time with your teenage grandchildren. Can My Joints Take It? One of the big concerns for grandparents who are trying to stay active and participate in the lives of their grandchildren is if their joints are strong enough. Talk to Arrowhead Health Centers to learn about the programs we offer that can help you avoid joint pain and keep you going strong. Give us a call at 623-334-4000, option 9 and set up a consultation today.