Q: Our daughter is having another baby, and our seven year-old and nine year-old grandchildren will be living with us for a month. They are energetic, bright and will keep us busy. We hope to survive! Rather than just parking them in front of the TV, we would like to teach them something that will be helpful in their future. Can you recommend some creative ideas?

A: Young children are enthusiastic about learning. Helping them to enhance their self-esteem and to cope with life could not come at a better time. There are few greater gifts than the opportunity of teaching them self-reliance and to assume responsibilities.

Beyond microwaving, here are some suggestions to teach them how to become a partner in the family. Dual-career families need all the help they can get. Teach children how to make their lunch, how to carry out the trash, how to run the vacuum and how to do simple cooking skills like frying an egg.

Grandfather could include them in his activities, such as washing the car, raking leaves and some gardening. Good examples are showing them how he uses his tools and where to store them.

Although some parents are not in favor of paying for children's help, I believe in small payoffs. Learning to handle income and spending are critical lifetime issues. Take the kids to your bank and introduce them. Employees are usually helpful and will most likely show them around. You may consider opening a savings account for them.

Show them how you write a check and how to work an ATM, if there is money in your account. Give them two plastic storage containers to take home -- one marked for spending and one marked for saving. Add a few different coins in various denominations. Learning how to count and make change is an advantage.

Keeping children busy and interested in learning is challenging. Some say grandparents and grandchildren are closest in families because they have a common enemy!

Q: Now in my mid-70s, I am stymied because I have not buttoned down a number of issues I want to get done. I want to make changes and additions to my will and trust. My husband had always handled those details. I have new grandchildren I want to remember and one son has divorced and remarried. I just can't get it together. Can you tell me how?

A: As we age, just getting the details done can become a challenge. Make a written list of the changes you want to make. Explain your dilemma to your adult children and ask for help. Choose and appoint one of them to find a qualified estate attorney to do the legal paperwork. Surprisingly, in reviewing your documents, a professional can often advise you about other options you may want to consider, based on changes in the tax laws and aging family members.

Making your wishes known incurs some expense, but in the long run, knowing you are doing the right thing and fulfilling your wishes will release you from frustration!

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com.