Are you an overindulgent grandparent?

What grandparent doesn’t like to spoil their grandkids? While the occasional treat or gift is fine, an excess can do more harm than good. With the holidays coming up, here are some questions to consider determining if you’re an overindulgent grandparent.

• Do you have a tendency to serve your grandkids a generous portion of dessert, despite objections from their parents?

• Do you find yourself secretly giving your grandchildren candy or money?

• Do you regularly gift your grandchildren with expensive items like a bike, musical instrument or video game console?

• Do you frequently give your grandkids presents when it’s not a special occasion like Christmas or their birthday?

• Do you automatically come to your grandchildren’s defense when their parents discipline them or withhold a privilege for misbehaving?

• Do your children mention that you go overboard when it comes to giving your grandchildren gifts?

If these descriptions sound familiar, it may be time to reflect on whether you spoil your grandkids a little too much.

Consequences
Excessively spoiling your grandchildren can strain your relationship with their parents, especially if your generosity is at odds with their values. You’re also teaching your grandkids to expect a reward every time they bat an eyelash or tear up in front of you. This can unintentionally encourage greed, impatience and tantrums.

Solutions
To avoid tension, speak with your grandchildren’s parents and come to a consensus about how often to treat your grandkids. You should also decide on an appropriate quantity and price range for gifts. Additionally, if you truly want to strengthen your relationship with your grandkids, opt for activities and outings rather than material gifts.