People change over time. Your parents may be getting older, and your children are growing up asking more and more questions about the world around them. With the questions asked, their curiosity may be peaked when they notice there are changes happening with grandma and grandpa. It is best to handle the situation and not ignore it.
Many times parents choose to shelter their children from the diseases their grandparents are facing. When this happens, they will probably make up their own story, and it will be more upsetting to them in the end. If your parents are suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, they may begin forgetting who some of the most important people in their lives are with the onset of this disease. It is important to continue spending time with them, even if they do not remember who you are.
When it is the time to sit down and have a talk with your children about what grandma or grandpa is going through, you do not need to unload everything going on. Try to keep your explanations brief to prevent anxiety and gauge what you believe they can handle. Offer brief explanations about what they may see when they go and visit so they are not alarmed at a new condition.
Another helpful tip is to find age appropriate books that will help give your children more insight to what is happening. You already know the relationship between your children and their grandparents is something special. You should find easy ways to help them interact even if the changes are occurring.
Children all handle these situations differently, and that is completely expected. If you have multiple children, one may handle it with understanding and compassion and another may feel confused and frightened. It is important as a parent to be supportive for your children as well as your own parents.
For additional information on how to handle these situations, read here.
