Go to the local tobogganing hill and seat them at the front. Be brave. Tell them this is a lesson and they have to learn that there are ups and downs. The pleasure of downhill means the struggle to going to the top.

Have an open “grandparent line” which means either through the antiquated telephone or Skype be there for them. Learn of what they did at school, their fears, surprises and later maybe about who walked them home. You have to earn this right by taking time for them and give them your sole attention when you are together.

Chauffeur at demand is their expectation when they just have to go to a friends’ in a neighbouring town since they are having fun and have so much to tell each other that they didn’t have time for at school.

Offer to be there if things aren’t going well and call you to come home at any time. This is an important offer especially for teenagers.

As you notice, these things don’t cost anything but the most costly thing one seems to have today – time. It is an investment for their future.

You don’t have to spoil grandkids with materialistic things and you can’t spoil them with too much LOVE.

The payment comes later in life when they repeat when leaving “I love you, Grandma or Greandpa!”