Dude,
Yer doing a damn good thing there and do it everytime you get a chance. They grow up too quick and then we lose them to their hormones, LOL.
My dad split when I was about 4 and grandparents and uncles would often remind us that children were to be seen and not heard. Parental guidance was "do your chores" but then we could at least go play at the park. I'd have loved it if one of them had grabbed us up and said: let's go to a ball game.
Parents get sooo busy and they usually have tunnel vision as to the way they think their kids "should" grow up. That is the age that we all needed to explore life, play outside and be as physical as our bodies will allow, play a sport if we are inclined, swim, ride a bike or skateboard, climb trees if we can, anything to help learn good balance which helps give us more confidence.
It is rare the household that teaches their children from the time they start to walk and talk, the ways of the world, human relations, eat for their health, not for their taste buds (and WHY), workout and play ALOT, financial smarts and good ole "Common Sense". Teach him that humans will come and go in this life and it doesn't mean either was wrong (unless there was malicious treatment) just that they grew apart, and usually for the best. Other humans come along to teach us something about ourself. Teach him to not dwell on heartbeak of parting and to always focus on solutions not the problem. Teach him to always think stuff through and have backup plans.
Teach him to show compassion, sympathy, love and respect when it is needed. Teach him to give from his excess and not his own core needs so as not to deplete his energy supply, mentally, physically,spiritually and emotionally.
The sooner they learn that we all create our own life by our actions, our words and our thoughts, the sooner they will find themselves. Teach him to honor his word unless he has good reason not to.
Grand parents can help to fill in many of these areas because they get to be more of a confidant in the childrens eyes, (as long as the grandparent lives the same life that they teach). It's hard to tell anyone especially, our own kids, that they aren't giving a child more of the things that they need to know, so sometimes we can just share some of these things and hopefully "show" them how to be well prepared for life.
Damn, I went and got all wordy when I just wanted to pat you on the back dude. Teach em while you can cause before long they will think they know "everything". LOL
Have a great weekend and be well,
SD
