Volume XVI Number 36 – February 6, 2025 

Ten Commandments for Grandchildren  Melvin Martin Kieschnick was born December 10, 1927, in Walburg, Texas. He was the third eldest of nine children lovingly raised by dedicated and hard-working parents, Oscar and Lina. Mel passed away December 26, 2024, at the tender age of 97 years and 16 days. 

For those who might be wondering, Mel was my second cousin, once removed. That simply means that his father and my grandfather were first cousins. So, Mel and my father were second cousins, which makes Mel my second cousin, once removed. Got it? He was from what I call the famous side of the family, which some might say means I'm from the infamous side. Got it? 

Like each of his eight siblings, Mel was hugely gifted and talented. His biography/curriculum vitae https://www.biola.edu/talbot/ce20/database/melvin-martin-kieschnick is like a small book.

Among the most interesting of his multiple accomplishments was a series of four articles on Christian family life issues, including Ten Commandments for Grandparents:

1. Thou shalt show up. Be there for your grandchildren.

2. Thou shalt love thy grandchildren unconditionally. When you give unconditional love you are reflecting a God who loves perfectly.

3. Thou shalt take grandparenting seriously - and lightly. In days of disjointed families, grandparents help create and preserve the spirit of family and the structure which holds it together. In addition to serious talks, be funny, even silly, play, run (or least walk briskly) through the water sprinkler. Hear your grandchild say, "It's fun being with my grandpa/grandma."

4. Thou shalt be a grandparent, not a parent. Grandparents do not insist upon their way over the way their children are raising their offspring.

5. Thou shalt insist that in grandparents' home grandparent rules prevail. Children can learn that different rules, standards, rewards and punishment may apply at the grandparents' house, and when it is time to go home, then it is back to the usual routine.

6. Thou shalt tell the old stories and the old, old story. Above all, tell the story of Jesus, of how much Jesus loves your grandchildren and you.

7. Thou shalt be a positive example of what it means to be a healthy person, especially a healthy Christian. Grandparents can be models of faith, solid values, integrity and inner peace

8. Thou shalt treat each grandchild differently. The wise grandparent will recognize that each grandchild is unique and therefore will treat each child in a manner most appropriate to that uniqueness.

9. Thou shalt not insist to your grandchildren that the good old days were the good old days. All family members are challenged to live in a radically changing, ever challenging world and proclaim, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

10. Thou shalt not perpetuate myths about grandparents. Dispel the myths that grandfathers don't know how to take care of little children, grandmothers just sit in rocking chairs and knit, and grandparents spend all their children's inheritance. Teach your grandchildren that grandparents treasure timeless values, love the Lord and care deeply about their grandkids.

Melvin Martin Kieschnick, child of God, visionary leader, member of a huge family of faithful, humble, wonderful Lutheran Christian men and women, my second cousin, once removed. Rest in peace! 

Dr. Gerald B. "Jerry" Kieschnick 
Chief Executive Officer | Legacy Deo
GBJK@LegacyDeo.org | www.legacydeo.org | (512) 646-4909 

Our Mission: To inspire giving that impacts life forever. 

Previous issues of Perspectives: www.jerrykieschnick.wordpress.com  

Opinions in Perspectives are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the position of any group or organization.