During the years that my children were babies and toddlers and of elementary age, I used to long for a grandmother within an hour's reach. But mine and Truett's parents lived in Tennessee or Kentucky, so we had no grandmother or grandfather within arm's reach.
Many times when our children were young, I thought about putting an ad in the newspaper to hire a grandmother for a day. I firmly believed grandmothers and grandfathers were part of the backbone of a stable family structure. But, since Truett and I moved so far south, my children didn't get to know their grandparents until they were teenagers.
Being a grandparent is probably the most fun and rewarding job I have. Personally, I dislike all the sayings about spoiling the grandchildren and then turning them back to the parents. We do spoil Madeline and Oliver, I must admit. However, I have no qualms about saying, "Pick up those toys!", or "Would your Mommy let you eat that gummy worm?"
Sometimes I feel like an intruder on Merry Jennifer and Sam's life simply because I feel the need to be around the grandchildren. I place an awkward phone call and say, "Can we babysit for you today . . .perhaps a couple or three hours while you and Sam go to a movie or do something fun?"
Merry Jennifer always says, "Sure, Mom. We'll find something to do."
Today Truett and I were able to babysit our grandchildren. Truett and Maddie played a board game, while Oliver and I wandered into the yard so I could take photographs.
Being a grandparent is not a burden, as a parent who deals with parenthood daily might conjecture.
No, for a grandparent, babysitting the grandchildren is a priviledge.
Plus, my daughter and son-in-law never have to rent a grandmother because this one is ready and available!
We always wished we had grandparents who lived nearby for our kids!
Posted by: tina | August 01, 2011 at 11:43 AM
And we SO appreciate having you nearby. I love that my kids are growing up with their grandparents so close at hand.
Posted by: merry jennifer | August 01, 2011 at 05:37 PM
AMEN! We just moved to remedy that situation and I am the happiest Grandmother in the world. It's the most rewarding of all my blessings.
Posted by: Lou Hollis | August 04, 2011 at 03:21 AM