I just got back from visiting my newest grandchild who was born this morning at 12 minutes after midnight. Like every grandparent, I think he is just adorable.

I really believe that grandparents have an important role in raising their grandchildren. Actually, I believe many people share this role as a new child comes into the world.

Certainly we understand the importance of parents. This doesn’t need much of an explanation. But there are many others who make a significant difference in a child’s life.

Grandparents: Most of us believe that grandparents play an important role. They are the ones who raised the parents and who still usually have significant influence on the children they raised. Because their role is significant, they must be careful. While grandparents may make suggestions, they must be careful to not expect their views to override those of the two parents. As a grandparent, I must carefully use my words. I certainly can say what an absolutely cute new baby this is but after that I want to not say anything negative or critical of the birth. Grandparents are to be supportive. While I believe there is room for advice and even criticism, it must be carefully and minimally used.

Aunts and uncles: Siblings of the parents of a new baby have an important role they play. If they already have children they are raising, their advice may be sought. If they are in a highly competitive position with the new parent, they need to go slowly. The most important role they have to play is a supportive role. As time goes on you hope to see a relationship grow between your child and the children of your relatives.

Any other relatives: As the distance in the relationship increases, the influence decreases. As anyone who is significant to the parents, the other relatives can be a helpful source to the new parents. Each relative determines the role they play as a new baby is born into your family.

Neighbors: We may minimize the role of neighbors but we shouldn’t. These are the people who frequently offer to help out and watch your child when you have to run on a quick errand. These are the people who tell you when your child plays too close to the street or when your child leaves his toys around in their yard.

Everybody else: When you take your child to Sunday school, someone is there to watch him. When you enroll your child in preschool, a teacher becomes an important resource about your child. When your child becomes best friend with the little girl down the street, her mother will be a resource for you.

This was evident in the local restaurant yesterday when an 11-month-old was being very fussy. A stranger came over to the parents who were rushing to get finished and offered the mom a toy for the baby. The baby quieted down immediately. The mother was very grateful.

Be open to the many people who are likely to reach out to you as a new parent. Actually, babies have a way of encouraging people to reach out. Be open to the many ways people seek to help you or be involved with you.

As a grandparent or any other relative, congratulations. You have a new person in your life that you can help. Each of us can be someone important to this new little person. It is up to each of us to determine what that role will be. The number of people who can make an important difference in his life is limitless.

People who will read him a book or bake cookies for him will make a difference. People who write him a note or take him to the store become friends for him. People who let him pet their dog or just say hello to him add to his life. Reaching out to any child by anyone can make a huge difference in a child’s life.

I plan on being important to this little guy. His older sister is excited to see me and I want him to be excited too. I do not plan on pushing others away to increase my importance. I believe there is room for many people to be important to him as he grows older. He is my 11th grandchild. That alone makes him important.

He is one more person who will bring joy and happiness to me as I grow older. I hope to bring happiness to him in the time we have together.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com.