If you are a grandparents who is involved in your grandchildren's daily lives you have more responsibility than a grandparent who lives 3000 miles away. This may sound crazy but children look up to adults and especially those who love them and they try to pattern themselves after the people they look up to. So grandparents share in forming what a child will be when they grow up. As a grandparent it is your responsibility to:
Always be a good role model
We can be ourselves but be careful who you are because children are watching you. Don't go around saying bad words that you would punish them for. Talk the way you want them to talk.
Share their heritage with them
Children find pleasure in hearing stories about their great grandparents and how they lived and where they came from. They want to know how they ended up where they are and who was responsible for getting you here and them.Being a grandparent can be a lot of fun but never underestimate the knowledge you have to share with your grandchildren that they can't get out of a history book. You are their history book.
Be a teacher to your grandchildren
You have learned a lot in your lifetime so be a teacher to your grandchildren. Sometimes parents are busy and can't slow down long enough to take the time to teach them the little things that they need to know in life. Make it your mission to teach them something new every time they are with you. Make it fun for them to learn and they will never forget the things you took the time to teach them.
Be a caregiver
Be the care giver for your grandchildren if you can so they don't have to go to daycare or other sitting services. Children seem to enjoy staying with grandparents instead of going off to stay with strangers. They know you spoil them and they will enjoy being with you on a daily basic. Grandparents and grandchildren share a bond that just lets them enjoy being together.
In Summary: You as a grandparent has a responsibility to your grandchildren to be a role model,a teacher,a caregiver and the one person that they can always depend on to be there when they need a safe place to go to or a warm lap to crawl up in.