The Power of an Encouraging Grandparent

August 12, 2025Leave a comment

Sincere encouragement is like water to a thirsty soul. Deep within every heart there is a longing to be known, seen, heard, and appreciated. Often in the hectic pace of life, we miss the moments to share an uplifting word, a loving smile, a thoughtful hug, a handwritten note, or simply just being available. As grandparents have an unique opportunity to bolster the hearts of our little ones.

Now I’m not suggesting that we shower our grandkids with fake flattery. Kids can spot insincerity faster than a squirrel can bury a nut. Effective encouragement must be straightforward and specific. Instead of saying, “You’re the greatest…..in the world,” (which I think I can safely assume they are not), say something like, “I saw how hard you practiced for the game. Your persistent preparation paid off!” You can add, “I noticed how patient (or kind or precise or thoughtful) you were during the game. Great job.” Now you have given them a gift that is meant specifically for them.

Here are a few effective ways to spur on and uplift our grandkids:

Write notes on a regular basis. The lost art of writing a letter can be a special gift to this young generation. Share a scripture you are praying for them. Tell them that you love them. Give them a specific and uplifting boost from your heart to theirs. Whether they live near or far, a simple note can mean the world to them and create a bond between you. For young ones, simply send a picture along with an I love you. It may be helpful to choose one day a month as your letter-writing day to grands.
Look for opportunities to speak life giving words. Whenever you are present with your grandkids, you can discover ways to embolden them. Look for moments to motivate them. Sure, it’s easy to spot someone doing something wrong. We must be extra vigilant to catch them doing something right. Seize every opportunity to say a good word about their hard work or character. If you are watching their games or performances long distance, you can still deliver a positive message of support.
Smile, hug, listen. Sometimes the best way to strengthen the heart is non-verbal. I like to say that a smile speaks a thousand words. It says, “I love you. I’m thrilled that you are mine. You are precious to me.” Even a facetime or video smile can boost the spirit. There are also times when our kids simply need a hug or a listening ear. Never underestimate these powerful forms of inspiration and motivation to uplift our young charges.

The root word “cor” in encouragement comes from the Latin word for heart. When we offer sincere and specific words of support for our grandkids, we are actually strengthening their heart. Who doesn’t need a little heart-strengthening in today’s world? Let’s be intentional about uplifting and inspiriting others, especially the next generation! No more grumpy grandparents – right?

For more ideas and encouragement for you or your kids, check out Karol Ladd’s books on Amazon.

Five Fun Ways to Create Super Summer Memories

June 7, 2025June 7, 2025Leave a comment

It can be the best of times; it can be the worst of times. We know it as summertime. Yes, our schedules are typically less chaotic, but the non-school months force us into heavy-duty togetherness. As a parent or grandparent, how can we make the best of this time of the year? Here are a few ideas to bring a smile to your kids’ faces as well as your own.

Start the summer off with great expectations. Celebrate the start of summer with their favorite breakfast and a joyful welcome. Kids will catch your enthusiasm as you tell them what you are looking forward to during the coming months. Allow them to share what they hope to do while school is out of session as well. Delightfully discuss some house rules as far as screen time and snacks. It’s always a good idea to remind kids of the 3 D’s of discipline: Dishonesty, Disobedience, and Disrespect, letting them know you have great expectations for their behavior.
No more B-word. Oh, the dreaded words, “I’m Bored!” As if the parents are in charge of the child’s entertainment 24/7! Here’s an idea – take a large mason jar and label it “Boredom Busters.” Provide each of your kids with small strips of paper and ask them to stop and think about what they could do if they ever felt the B-word coming to mind. Give them some ideas: you could read a book, do an art project, write a story or a poem, play in the sprinklers, shoot hoops, roller skate, visit a neighbor, cook, play with old Christmas gifts, do a puzzle, etc…Allow the kids to write their own ideas, fold each one up and put it in the jar. Then, if they ever think they are feeling B….. (well, you know), then tell them to go to the jar and pick an idea.
Maintain a daily routine. We all do a little better with structure in our lives. During the summer, create a relaxed routine that combines flexibility with a light schedule. I recommend doing activities, errands, and outings in the morning hours when everyone is fresh and energetic. Make a plan to visit places in your area, such as parks, museums, hiking trails, and kid-friendly spaces. Plan a set time for lunch each day, and then have a little FOB time (Flat on Bunk) for the kids. We all need a little rest from our day and from one another. FOB allows us to rest and regroup for 30-45 minutes. Afternoon is a great time for crafts, screentime, or free-play. A bedtime routine is also important to your kids. Consider bath, brush teeth, devotional, and prayer before lights out.
Choose different themes for each week. Each week, pick a topic, theme, or focus that provides direction to the things you do each day. Consider age-appropriate themes that fit your kids’ interests. What about Animal week, or Science week, or Plants and Flowers week, or Bug week, or Bird week, or Space week? You get the idea. Infuse the week with A (activities), B (books), C (crafts), and D (devotionals). Let’s say you are doing Animal Week. For activities, you can go to a zoo, a farm, a wildlife preserve, a pet store, and/or a natural history museum. Go to the library and pick out books specifically about different animals. For crafts, you can make animal ears, create playdough animals, form animals out of foil, or simply do color pages with different animals. Devotionals can include Adam naming the animals, Noah and the ark, Job’s mention of dinos and other animals, or Daniel in the lion’s den.
Keep it simple! Don’t exhaust yourself with a million ideas, just choose a few good ones that work for your family. Let’s not lose sight of the simple fun and memories that can be created by having time together. Running through sprinklers, making forts, playing school, throwing a frisbee, lying outside to observe the clouds or the stars, taking a walk, getting together with friends at a park doing a puzzle, or having movie night together – all provide easy, no-cost, joy-filled fun. Remember, we set the tone for the home. If we choose to find joy in the simple things, our attitude often permeates the home.

Finally, don’t forget the power of conversation. Dinnertime discussions can be an added value and blessing during this slower-paced time of the year. The benefits of our kids experiencing family togetherness are monumental in helping them feel seen and heard. Let’s make the most of this summer season and use this space to build memories and create connectedness as a family. Let’s stay positive and grateful for this time together. Happy possibilities abound!

Keep On Doing Good

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025Leave a comment

It’s easy to grow weary in the midst of the many needs around us. Whether it’s a close friend, a family member or those who are suffering in southern California, we can quickly become overwhelmed by the ongoing care for others. Perhaps you find yourself asking the questions:

How can I help? Whom can I serve? What can I do to make a difference?

We can’t solve every challenge, but we certainly can do something. I always begin with prayer, “Lord, help the people in need. Show me how I can be your hands and feet. Direct me in ways to serve and give.” As I continue to pray for people in my life or in crisis, ideas begin to come to me on how I can be a support and who I need to reach out to with care. Remember, the Lord is full of compassion and He wants to direct our paths to help. Prayer is not a passive response to disaster, it is a powerful one!

As we see the overwhelming and continued needs in California, many trusted organizations are at work. Here are several of the ones I am familiar with who are not only boots-on-the-ground but also sharing Christ’s love:

Texans on Mission https://www.texansonmission.org/disaster-relief

Hollywood Prayer Network https://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/

Salvation Army https://salvationarmy.org/

Finally, I just want to share a story about how one neighborhood can serve another. As the desperate needs started surfacing in California, I began praying how my Neighborhood Bible study could help. One of the ladies in our Bible study had a contact with a precious family who lost everything in the Altadena fires. She reached out and asked how we could help. The family was able to provide a list of several families in their neighborhood along with their GoFundMe links.

We decided that we could pray and give and offer support for these families. We can’t do everything, but from our neighborhood to theirs, we could do something. Please continue to ask the Lord to guide you on how you can help. The physical needs are great, and the emotional needs will last for a long time as well.

Do not grow weary in well-doing. May God’s strength and wisdom be with us all.

Photo by Marlis Trio Akbar on Unsplash

Choosing a Positive Direction for the Fall

August 19, 2024August 19, 2024Leave a comment

Oh the joy of gathering together and finding a common connection! As summer fades and the school year begins, let’s take deliberate and positive steps into a new season of connections. One of the ways we can deepen our friendships as women is to study the Bible together. Several years ago, I reached out to my neighbors to see who would be interested in starting a neighborhood study. A handful of women began to gather over cups of coffee and an open Bible. It was beautiful. Friendships were born.

This fall, we are starting our fourth year of growing together. We call ourselves “House to House” Bible Study because we meet in different houses each week and simply study the Scripture together. We are non-denominational, non-political, non-gossipy, and non-grumbly. Our group has grown to many women outside our neighborhood, and the connections continue to deepen as we walk through the truths of the Bible together. If you live in the north Dallas area and or want to join us via Zoom, please email me at Karol@Karolladd.com (subject line Bible Study) and I’ll send you more information.

Many of the women in our group have never been to a Bible study before, while others are well-versed in His Word. It’s a lovely mosaic of people from all different denominational backgrounds. I’ve found that in general, women are hungry for fellowship and hungry for truth. Neighborhood Bible studies offer both.

Wherever you are, I want to encourage you to connect with the people God puts in your path. Reach out over a cup of coffee with neighbors and invite them to join you as you grow in truth. You can simply study the Bible or study a book that points to Biblical truth. I’ve listed several of my books below that are perfect for reaching out and gathering women together. Ask God to give you the courage to make positive steps of connection this fall as you encourage women with His love.

Here are some of my books that make a great group study:

Press On

August 1, 2024Leave a comment

Olympic athletes inspire me. No, not to run a marathon or take up synchronized swimming, but the competitors inspire me to persevere, press on, and push forward – even when the going gets tough. When I watch these world-class athletes, I am motivated to put in the extra effort to do my best with the gifts and talents God has granted me.

Somehow the Olympians make their sport look effortless during competition, but in reality their accomplishments don’t come easily. We rarely see the countless hours of early morning practices, aching muscles, failed attempts, and frustrating injuries. Yes, every spectacular performance is preceded by unspectacular preparation.

As we watch in wonder while our favorite athletes perform, let us consider how we can persevere through the personal hurdles in our own lives. It may be facing challenges financially, or difficulties in relationships. It could be a physical or emotional setback. Whatever we are facing, we can gear up with mental toughness, grit, and perseverance, recognizing that we are not alone in our struggles. There are others who have stumbled down similar roads, and we can gain strength from their encouragement, advice, and examples. Most importantly, we can look to God for our help, hope, and guidance.

Remember the Lord’s words to the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul went on to say, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”*

Through prayer and perseverance press on my friend. You are stronger than you think.

For more on perseverance, check out my latest book, Positive Connectivity.