Grands Get Ready!

“We're having a baby!”  Oh, what joy those words bring to a grandparent’s heart.  We begin to ponder how we’ll prep our own homes for our future bundle of joy, whether our children live nearby or far away. We want to be prepared so how do we get ready and what should we have on hand? 

If you’re like me, you may have lovingly stored your child’s bassinet, crib, highchair, baby swings, toys--you name it-- in the attic thinking I’ll be so prepared when our grandchildren arrive.  Yikes!  More than likely, all these wonderful accoutrements have been recalled for safety concerns.  New products, technology, safety requirements and regulations all come in to play as we prep our homes.  If you purchase second hand, be SURE to check with https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls       for safety recalls.  There are loads of used products out there and many have been recalled for serious safety reasons.

Surprisingly, some attic treasures may actually find new life with our children.  First-time grandmother, JoJo, shared that she saved her beloved antique pram hoping that one day, she would proudly stroll her grandchild the same way she had done with her own. Her daughter was thrilled to have inherited that family treasure. 

More than likely, however, the items we have stored are completely out of date.  My best advice is…pitch and start from scratch! Without going overboard (easy to do!), here’s my list of recommended basics to have on hand:

·      Portable crib/crib – a safe place for the baby to sleep (drawers will NOT suffice!)

·      Diapers and wipes

·      A baby bathtub

·      Baby wash (ask your child for what product they like)

·      Soft wash cloths and baby towels

·      Stroller (nice to have on hand so your child doesn’t have to haul theirs)

·      Highchair or counter seat

·    Toys and books

·      Bottle counter dryer- I like the “grass” dryer

·      Emergency medical kit

·      Poison control phone number displayed in an obvious location as well as any allergies

For safety purposes, these are absolute must haves:

·      Outlet covers

·      Baby gates

·      Drawer and cabinet locks

·      Wall anchors for heavy furniture

·      Extra locks on doors for the wondering toddler

·      Pool safety devices such as fencing, alarms, etc.

Certainly, as your grand grows from newborn to toddler to preschooler and onward, these lists will change but the concepts remain the same.  Once you’ve prepped your home, sit back, relax, raise a toast, and dream about all the great times and memory makers you’ll have with your precious grandchildren.