Role of Grandparent – Disciplinarian or Fun Maker?

The school summer holidays are in full swing, and this is where grandparents may be on call, as working parents often rely on the help and support of grandparents to provide day care for the little ones.

So what exactly is the role of the grandparent when caring for their grandchildren? Is there a job description? It will happen even to the grandparent who wants nothing more than to spoil a grandchild, the grandparent who is most determined to be the “fun” grandparent. A grandchild will misbehave with no parent in sight to act as a disciplinarian. So what’s a grandparent to do?

Grandparents love to treat their grandchildren, but should they play a role in discipline too – and when is the right time to step in?

With an increasing number of grandparents being called upon to help out regularly with childcare duties, getting involved in disciplining can be hard to avoid even if you want to.

What are your views?  Should grandparents get involved in implementing discipline? Should they use their own methods, or use the same discipline style as the parents? Or should they focus on providing fun, entertainment love, and treats? Do you support the view ‘what happens at grandma’s house stays at grandma’s house’?