I like to give my grandchildren handmade items because my children loved the things their grandma crocheted for them. When it comes to toys, especially big ticket items, I talk to their mother to see if what I'm thinking of getting them is okay with them. I don't want to make things more difficult for mom & dad by giving their children something that will end up just cluttering their home. -Kristina, Gramma to four

I have a 6-month-old, 2-year-old, 6-year-old, 10-year-old & 13-year-old! I give them opportunities. Nana takes them to plays, concerts, library, zoo, musuem exhibits, day trips to any special events. I try to broaden their horizions. So much is learned by experience, and I try to be adventurous with all of them! I just got a piano for them, and the 2-year-old has already become very attached to playing it! Yes, their parents think I spoil them, but know I am giving them opportunities to experience life! -Debbie, Nana to five

When we go to our daughter's house to see the grandkids, the first thing they ask is what are we going to do. Our oldest -- Robert, age 8 -- loves to go to the thrift store. Donavan, age 5, loves to be played with and tickeled. Madisyn, age 3, loves to go shopping for princess clothes. We can't do all three at the same time, so when we do go over, we see what each child wants to do, then we decide what fits in the schedule for that day. We know it is not always good for them, but when their mother lets us, we try to take them someplace special to eat, even if it's to a fast food restaurant. It doesn't matter what we do, our daughter always thinks we spoil our grandkids and we agree. That is what grandparents were born to do. -Ron, Grandma and Grandpa to four

If I were to be honest, I would have to say yes, I do spoil my grandchildren. Now, let me tell you why and how I, as a seven-time grandmother and one-time great-grandmother, feel about this. Growing up as a child, I never had grandparents to spend the night or weekend with. My maternal grandparents died before I was born. I only had a step-grandmother that was foreign and it was difficult to even understand her English. I have no memories to leave as my legacy of being anyone's granddaughter. I swore when I was little that I would build memories with my children and eventually my grandchildren. I have done just that in my senior years and loved every minute of it. Now, are my grandchildren spoiled? No. They simply require more love, attention and "stuff" than others do. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. -Chris, Grandma to eight

No, I don't spoil them -- they spoil me. But if you ask my daughter, she would say I spoil them too much, that I didn't do all the things for her that I do for my granddaughters. -Miranda, maw maw to three

I try not to disregard any rules that are fundamental, but a grandparent's job is to relax the lines a little. Every child needs a place where they can be themselves, and spread their wings a little without fear of time-out. We have a sign on the refrigerator stating: "If it happened at Grandma's, it never happened." Even the little ones know that there may be an extra cookie at snack time, we can play one more game before bedtime and if you come out of bed for one more kiss and a big hug, it is ok. To this day I remember the relaxed, special times with my grandparents and I want my grandchildren to feel the same way. -Marilyn, Grandma Marilyn to six