60 Things Grandparents Should Never Do

1 | Request more grandchildren.

Not every family has the means or the desire to have multiple children, and for some—like those struggling with fertility issues—fielding requests for additional grandkids can be painful. Before you say something that could potentially strain your relationship, just remember how lucky you are to be a grandparent in the first place.

2 | Give naming advice.

Even if you have a family tradition of passing down names generation after generation, that doesn't mean your own children will continue the trend. The more you suggest a name—or, worse, insist on a name—the more you're guaranteed to annoy not only your child, but also your child's spouse. At best, your suggestions will be ignored; at worst, resented. And for more things grandparents shouldn't say, be sure you know these 21 Things Grandparents Should Never Say to Their Own Kids.

3 | Post about your grandkids online without their parents' permission.

Sure, you may want everyone to see that adorable photo of you holding your grandchild, but their parents may have a different opinion. Some parents don't like to put photos or information about their young children online, so it's best to get a parent's permission before posting any grandchild content on your Facebook page.

4 | Hand off your grandkids to anyone who wants to hold them.

While you may want to share the joy of holding your grandchildren with others, that doesn’t mean a stranger or an acquaintance the baby's parents don't know should get to hold your grandchild, too. Not everyone who comments on how cute your grandkids are needs to physically touch them. And as the coronavirus pandemic has reminded us, you never know who’s sick with something they could pass on to that vulnerable little one.

5 | Or let other folks watch your grandkids.

So, you’ve got the grandkids for the weekend, but you’d also hoped to see some friends who are in town. And since the little ones are already asleep, it’s no big deal to let your responsible, reliable neighbor keep watch over the baby monitor from your living room while you head out for an hour or two, right? Nope! If you’re the one who agreed to watch your grandkids, you’d better make sure you’re the one who’s actually watching them the whole time they’re under your care, or you risk being permanently dismissed from the job.

6 | Try to raise your grandkids like you did your own children.

Every family is different, so the things you did as a parent won't necessarily fly when you have grandkids. As a grandparent, you're beholden to your grandchild's parents' rules, and you'd be well advised to stick to them if you want to keep spending time with your grandkids. After all, even if you think you really nailed the parenting thing, your own kid probably has a slightly different opinion of how their childhood went down. And for more insider info on being a grandparent, discover 20 Secrets No One Tells You About Becoming a Grandparent.

7 | Be lax about car seat safety.

Car accidents are a leading cause of death and injury among children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So this means car seat safety is no laughing matter. Even if kids were once allowed to sit in the front seat, or you played fast and loose with your own kids’ seatbelts or restraints and they survived, that doesn’t mean doing the same is acceptable with your grandkids. You may not get to drive them around any longer if you don’t abide by their parents’ rules on the road.

8 | Use unsafe sleep practices.

As babies, your children may have slept on their bellies in cribs full of stuffed animals and blankets. But if your now grown-up kids insist on only using sleep practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for their kids, it's your job to stick to them. Don't just assume that everything will be fine because you have anecdotal evidence to support your position: If your kids say the baby goes on their back in an empty crib, that's how they need to sleep, even at your house.

9 | Break bedtime rules.

Getting kids to bed is difficult enough as it is without having someone breaking the bedtime rules and letting them stay up until all hours. If you want to stay on your own kids' good side, it's important to make sure their kids adhere to their set bedtimes, whether or not you think staying up late once in a while couldn't hurt.

10 | Disregard instructions about discipline.

If your grandchild's parents have a specific policy regarding the discipline of their child, it's up to you to follow that procedure, too. That means abiding by their rules, no matter how silly they may seem to you.

11 | Or reward bad behavior.

Yes, an additional showing of The Little Mermaid might get your flailing toddler grandchild to calm down, but, in most cases, so would ignoring that tantrum. And if you're giving into your grandkids' fits, you're only making it harder for their parents to deal with them via their own methods at home.

12 | Give your input about a parent's choice to work or stay home.

It makes sense for some families to have one parent stay home, while others cover the ever-rising cost of childcare by having both parents work. Even if you have strong opinions about who is juggling what, you'd be very wise to keep them to yourself.

13 | Insist on outfits for the new baby.

Is that tiny sailor suit you brought for your new grandchild adorable? Sure. Is it also more than a bit rude to insist upon the new parents dressing their child in it? Definitely. Of course you want your gift worn by your new grandkid for a special occasion. Unfortunately, however, it's not your place to make sure that they're wearing something you got them for their first family photos.

14 | Discuss "baby weight."

While new parents may be eager to shed the weight that they gained during pregnancy, it's never fun to have someone else start a conversation about it. If you wouldn't tell someone to lose weight apropos of nothing, it's not appropriate to do it during the particularly vulnerable time after they've given birth either.

15 | Or comment on your grandkids' weight.

Whether they’re skinny or on the heavy side, grandparents who make comments about their grandkids’ weight are likely to endure the ire of their kids and grandkids alike. It's no big deal if you don’t serve dessert at your house or encourage your grandkids to take hikes instead of watching TV when they’re staying at your house. But telling them that they’ve gained a few, or saying their thin frame looks sickly, isn’t likely to get them to eat healthier. Instead, doing so could be the catalyst for a lifetime of self-doubt—or even disordered eating. In fact, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggests a strong link between caretakers’ feeding practices and unhealthy attitudes related to eating. So be sure to think about how to approach these topics sensitively.

16 | Force your grandkids to clean their plates.

Joining the Clean Plate Club may have been essential for your own kids, but that doesn't mean your grandchildren have to follow suit. Actually, research from the Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science in 2014 suggests that how a child is fed—and not just what they're fed—is a major factor in childhood obesity.

17 | Or supply a bottomless amount of treats.

Grandparents are notorious for indulging their grandchildren, but that doesn't mean you should take every opportunity to load them with sugar. Not only is having ice cream on a daily basis decidedly not a doctor-recommended practice, but doing so can also make it difficult for parents to get their kids to return to a healthier diet when they get back home.

18 | Or criticize their parents' food choices.

You may not think that there's much of a difference between organic food and the less expensive stuff your kids were raised on, but that doesn't mean you can simply ignore how your grandkids' parents want them to be fed. Silly as it may seem to you, if they say that organic cheese puffs and fruit snacks are better than the traditional packaged versions, it's your job to oblige.

19 | Give unsolicited advice about feeding practices.

There's enough of a raging debate on the internet and in public spaces about the relative benefits of breastfeeding versus formula feeding, so there's no need to add to it yourself. There are countless factors behind why someone might choose to do one or the other, including medical issues, work schedules, and personal preference, so inserting your own opinion into the conversation will only add to a parent's frustration.

20 | Ignore health requirements.

No matter how ridiculous you might think a parent's request to wash your hands one more time before you hold their baby is, it's their prerogative to ask you—and that's especially true in the age of coronavirus. If you choose not to comply, don't be surprised when they don't let you around their precious little one.

21 | Or use dodgy remedies for medical issues.

If your grandchild's parents tell you to give them a frozen washcloth or baby-safe pain medicine to relieve their teething issues, it's important to adhere to those rules. If they come back and find their child weeping as you rub whiskey on their gums, you may not get to babysit again.

22 | Insist on holding a crying baby.

If your grandchild starts crying for their parents, don't insist on continuing to hold them. You may think you're a baby whisperer, but that trick that always worked to stop your own offspring from crying when they were little isn't foolproof—and keeping an upset child from their main sources of comfort will likely only make the problem worse.

23 | Compare your grandkids to their parents.

Every family is different, and inviting comparisons between your kids and their kids is bound to make someone feel less worthy. While you may see your grandchildren as perfect angels compared to their parents, juxtaposing the two won't go over well.

24 | Repeat your own parenting mistakes.

Just because you did something a certain way when your kids were growing up doesn't mean that you should keep repeating those same choices with your grandkids—especially if you found that doing so had some adverse outcomes. Your kids and your grandchildren are different people, and simply repeating your own parenting patterns doesn't account for how the times have changed, or who your grandkids are as individuals.

25 | Criticize your kids in front of your grandkids.

You may not think your children are parenting their kids right, but that doesn't mean it's ever OK to tell your grandkids that. It's important for kids to see their adult role models as members of the same team—and, at the very least, you should remember that virtually anything you say about a kid's parents will end up repeated back to Mom or Dad.

26 | Bad-mouth other family members.

You may not like your child's mother-in-law, but speaking ill about your their other grandmother in front of your grandchildren may not go over well with their parents. Your kids may stop letting you around their children unsupervised if they don't trust you not to say inappropriate things.

27 | Ignore potty training instructions.

Potty training can be a particularly difficult time, but it's important you follow the rules to a T, lest you set your grandchild back. Yes, it may be more work for you, but it will definitely be easier in the long run when you're not dealing with a six-year-old in diapers.

28 | Impose your traditions.

Sure, everyone in your family may have had a christening or a bris, but that doesn't mean your kids will necessarily continue that tradition. And certainly don't sneak off to have any of those rituals done without their parents' consent: A little holy water may seem like no big deal to you, but that could be the last activity your kids let you do with your grandkids.

29 | Or pick fights over holidays.

Who doesn't want those Norman Rockwell-style Christmases with their kids and grandkids? Well, unfortunately, that might not always be possible. If you're not the only set of grandparents, your grandkids may have to divide their time between homes at the holidays. You remember how hard that is, right? It's certainly not worth arguing about.

30 | Push educational choices.

Maybe you think public school provides a better foundation for kids than private. Maybe you can’t imagine your grandkids being educated outside a Montessori setting. Maybe you think that religious instruction is an important part of the school day. Regardless of what you want for your grandkids, remember it’s up to their parents to decide where they should be educated—and your preference may not fit with their budget or priorities.

31 | Or force certain extracurricular activities.

Your kids may have loved playing violin, taking Taekwondo, or doing ballet, but that doesn’t mean your grandkids have the same tastes. Even if you offer to shell out the cash for lessons you’re sure will enrich their lives, don’t expect your grandkids to participate in activities just because you want them to. With long school days and a mountain of homework to get through, odds are they’ve got plenty on their plates already.

32 | Promise more than you can deliver.

Every grandparent wants to give their grandkids the world. But promising them things you can't deliver will only leave them disappointed in the end. Keeping their expectations grounded in reality will serve you both better: They won't be sad when you can't take them to Disney World every year, and you won't be burning through your retirement fund to get them everything their hearts desire.

33 | Offer "life lessons" without their parents' permission.

There are plenty of big life lessons you might want to share with your grandkids, but doing so without their parents' permission is likely to land you in hot water. As much of a boon as it might seem to explain death or procreation to your grandchildren, if their parents don't think it's the right time, you've got to hold off.

34 | Give haircuts.

Haircuts—especially first haircuts—are a big deal to a lot of parents, so giving an impromptu buzz cut to your grandkid probably won't fly. And considering that haircuts have a lot of cultural significance to some families, getting your grandchild their first haircut without permission could lead to some serious turmoil with your own kids.

35 | Take your grandkids for major experiences without discussing it first.

Whether it's their first time eating ice cream or their first attempt at riding a bike, it's important for grandparents to ask before taking their grandkids out for a major life experience. Just like you might have been sad to miss your own child's first steps, you never know what milestones are a big deal to a kid's parents until you ask.

36 | Or invite yourself along to family outings.

While many grandparents are undeniably important members of their families, it's important to recognize that this doesn't mean they're automatically invited to everything their grandchild does. Sometimes, a new family unit might want to make memories of their own—and that's OK, even if it stings a little at first.

37 | Provide unlimited screen time.

The debate over how much screen time is too much will likely rage on until screens no longer exist. However, one thing is clear: If your grandchild's parents say there's a set amount allowed, you should follow the letter of the law.

38 | Give your two cents about their family structure.

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and providing your input on how you think your grandkids' family should look is never going to yield positive results. It may take a minute for you to come to terms with the fact that your grandkids won't be raised exactly the same way you raised their parents, but it's important to show that you love and support their family anyway.

39 | Scare your grandkids with old wives’ tales.

You might think it’s funny to tell your grandkids that their eyes will get stuck if they roll them at you, or joke about monsters under the bed, but you never know which of those tall tales will become legitimate fears for your grandchildren—and ones their parents will have to deal with going forward. If you want to keep things amicable with your grandkids’ parents, try to avoid those scary stories, even if they seem relatively innocuous to you.

40 | Gift new pets.

Pets can be wonderful companions, but they're also an expensive and serious long-term commitment. If you want to get a pet your grandchildren will adore, get one they can come visit at your house—don't just show up with a golden retriever puppy with a red bow on its neck at their birthday party.

41 | Allow your grandkids to wear things their parents wouldn't allow.

As tough as it may sound, if your grandkid's parents have a strict rule against piercings and insist that hats shouldn't be worn indoors, it's important you heed those preferences. If you don't, it could be a major violation of their trust.

42 | Pick favorites.

Just because you might prefer one of your grandchildren to the others doesn't mean you should ever make that known. Playing favorites will only make your grandchildren resent you—and make your own children less-than-eager to have you watch their kids.

43 | Ask your grandkids to reveal secrets about their parents.

You might want the inside scoop on what's really going on in your grandchild's home, from why that creditor was calling to why one of the grown-ups was sleeping on the couch last night. But prying little ones for information will rarely end well. Remember, kids love to repeat things, so anything you ask your grandkid will definitely make it back to their parents.

44 | Or reveal too much about their parents' past.

You probably have tons of stories about your grandchild's parents that you'd love to share. That said, telling your grandkids embarrassing moments from their parents' past will only lead to resentment between you and their parents—especially when your grandkids start bringing up what you've told them as a means of getting their way.

45 | Showcase your own bad habits in front of your grandchildren.

Whether you're smoking, drinking, cursing, or playing it fast and loose with the seatbelt laws, just know that those bad habits you're engaging in now will get noticed by your grandchildren. And when their parents see their own children emulating those behaviors, don't be surprised when your babysitting privileges get revoked.

46 | Allow your grandkids to do something illegal.

Sure, letting your grandkid steer while you drive around an empty parking lot or giving them a sip of wine at dinner when their parents aren’t around may not seem like a big deal to you, but it could to their primary caregivers. After all, when your 16-year-old grandkid tells mom or dad that they’re “always allowed to drink” at your house, prepare for some serious consequences (no matter how much their parents begged you for wine at 16).

47 | Try to act as a surrogate parent.

As special as your bond is with your grandkids, it's important to remember that you're not their parent. Though it may be difficult, taking a backseat to your own kids when it comes to writing the rules on how your grandchildren live and behave will keep everyone happier in the long run.

48 | Lay on guilt trips.

It’s understandable that you're completely enamored with your grandkids. That said, if you’re not immediately asked to be a constant fixture in your grandchild’s life, especially in the first few months of it, that doesn’t mean it’s time to start laying on the “you never know how many years I have left" lines. The first few months of a baby’s life are a struggle for both the little one and the parents alike, and guilt-tripping the new family about your lack of inclusion is only going to make you persona non grata in their lives.

49 | Reinforce gender stereotypes.

While gender roles may have been clearly defined when you were growing up—and there may have been consequences for violating those norms at the time—that doesn’t mean you should force those antiquated beliefs on your grandkids.

If your male grandchild loves playing with dolls, let him play with dolls. Don’t tell your granddaughter that she should be the nurse instead of the doctor when she’s playing hospital. And don’t make a big deal of a kid wearing pink or blue, no matter their gender. They’re just colors, after all.

50 | Expect your kids to spend the same way you did.

You may have been able to take your kids on a vacation every year and send them to expensive sleep-away camp each summer, but you shouldn’t expect their parents to do the same. Not every family has that financial privilege, and expecting that your grandkids will live according to your standards will only put undue pressure on both them and their parents.

51 | Expect physical affection.

Getting hugs and cuddles from your grandkids may be a wonderful feeling, but that doesn’t mean you should ever insist on receiving physical affection. If your grandkids don’t want a hug, it may be disappointing, but forcing them to give you one anyway teaches them the wrong lesson about bodily autonomy.

52 | Shower your grandkids with toys.

A few gifts on birthdays or holidays is fine, but your grandkids shouldn't be getting new toys every time they come to your house. Aside from the fact that you're setting up unrealistic expectations for your grandkids at a young age, you're also clogging their home.

53 | Or give them noisy toys.

That drum kit, video game, or vuvuzela horn may seem like fun presents to you, but that’s probably only because you won’t have to live in close proximity to the person playing with them. When in doubt, err on the side of silence.

54 | Ignore manners.

Are Mom and Dad sticklers for politeness? If you’re watching your grandkids, it’s important that you make sure they’re saying "please" and "thank you" just as often as their parents expect them to at home.

55 | Use your grandkids for chores.

If your grandchildren are staying at your home for an extended period of time and their parents give the OK, you may be able to ask your grandkids to do some chores. But secretly making your grandkid wash your dishes or dust your shelves every time they come for a visit may alienate both your grandchildren and your own kids, particularly if you didn't ask for their permission.

56 | Wash your grandkids clothes or toys without asking their parents.

Perhaps your grandchild spilled something on themselves or maybe you think their old blanket could use a fresh clean. Either way, without their parents' prior permission, you shouldn't toss any of your grandchildren's stuff in your washer. Your kids may have specific washing practices to keep from ruining or shrinking their child's things, and if you mess something up after not asking them first, you might face their wrath.

57 | Invite over non-parent-approved guests when watching your grandkids.

You have the right to invite anyone over to your home, but avoid doing so when you're watching your grandkids. If it's someone the parents don't know or haven't approved to be around their kids before, they may not be so keen on allowing their kids back in your home unsupervised.

58 | Clean the house before the family returns from the hospital.

Coming home to a clean house after having a new baby is undeniably nice—if you've requested it personally. Finding out that your mother-in-law has folded your lacy underwear, however, is not.

59 | Show up to the hospital uninvited.

Birth is a miraculous thing, but for many people, it's also a particularly private one—and can involve some intense recovery. Of course you want to be there for the birth of your grandchild, but it's imperative that you only show up at the hospital if asked.

60 | Wait for your grandkids to make contact.

You may want to get handwritten letters, weekly phone calls, and regular FaceTime requests from your grandkids, but don’t expect that they’ll be doing all the legwork on that front. If you want to keep in contact with your grandchildren, the onus is on you, at least to some degree. So before you start lamenting how little you hear from them, try reaching out instead.