Table 3.
Example of consumer input and parenting research influencing program modification
| Consumer input | Parenting research | Potential program modification |
|---|---|---|
| Parenting arguments | Parents dislike unsolicited parenting advice from parents (Thomas 1990) | Inclusion of a module centered on effective communication skills and problem solving (e.g., checklist of positive and negative speaking and listening habits) |
| “There are arguments around discipline, about how we as grandparents treat the grandkids I suppose versus how the parents do it.” | ||
| Grandparent role taking over life | Grandparents report finding the role exhausting and demanding (Goodfellow and Laverty 2003) | Inclusion of strategies to manage emotional distress (e.g., relaxation strategies, controlled breathing, coping strategies) |
| “I just get the feeling that sometimes my son is starting to take me a little bit more for granted. And that becomes overwhelming and frustrating.” | ||
| Program design | Grandparents reporting feeling isolated from friends (Goodfellow and Laverty 2003) | Using a group format for program delivery so that grandparents can meet other grandparents who are in a similar role and potentially build on their support network |
| “To be with other grandparents is important, that way I can feel like I am not alone because I have lost some contact with friends since I started this.” | ||
| Need more parenting information | The need for a parenting refreshment course for grandparents (Hayslip 2003) | Emphasizing past parenting experience, building on parenting knowledge, and past parenting strategies (e.g., include an exercise reflecting on when you were a parent and what worked and did not work) |
| “The challenging bits, well it's the behavior management…. I don't think I do anything different now to what I did with my own. But memory is failing. I don't remember some of the things I used to do.” | ||
| Difficult not to challenge parents | Involvement of grandparents can increase conflict and tension between the grandparent and parent (Mason et al. 2007) | Inclusion of acceptance and commitment therapy strategies so that grandparents can manage feelings of distress about decisions that are outside their control |
| “Although you know you shouldn't say anything….sometimes you can't help yourself.” |