Grandchildren make every day better.
“No thanks for worrying with grandchildren, I’ve already raised my children.”
The words reverberated in my head like fingernails on a chalkboard.
As I sat next to a woman in a restaurant who was talking about the inconvenience and miserable times of “having to keep her grandchildren”, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
But I also had an urge to stand up and smack her on the back of the head! (No worries, I didn’t do it!).
I’ve heard that expression before, “I’ve already raised my children,” but this time it really hit home. How could anyone speak of their grandchildren as though they are a burden to be dealt with?
My mind quickly recalled memories of times I have spent with my own grandchildren and how they are the most special moments in my life.
As I reflected over the past few months, I recalled being with my grandchildren as we sat down to a family Thanksgiving meal filled with food, chatter and chaos. I remembered wrapping Christmas gifts, decorating the tree, baking cookies, walking through the park, visiting the Children’s Museum of Richmond, exploring the new Sweet Spot candy shop in Short Pump, romping in the snow, making chocolate chip pancakes, and snuggling on the sofa with overnight excursions at my house. I remembered making homemade cards and crafts to give their mom when they returned home from a visit at my house, and making hot chocolate with extra chocolate chips and marshmallows – like only a grandmother is allowed to do.
I smiled as I thought about their wide smiles and hugs when I sometimes surprise them at the bus after school, take them to Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt, or head over to the library to find a new adventure book. I remembered holding them close and reading books together, and putting them to bed with sweet hugs and “I love you’s”.
My grandchildren melt my heart. They make my days better every day. They keep me youthful and help me see the beauty in everyday things.
Oh, don’t get me wrong – it can be stressful to have all three of them at once when 18-month Lily is clamoring for attention, while 6-year old Connor and 8-year old Emma are asking a million questions at once. But that’s all part of grandparenting and it comes with much more fun, excitement, adventure, and love than I ever imagined!
Yes, I have raised my children too.
Grandchildren make life fun and interesting.
And now I am so honored and privileged that my daughter and son-in-law are allowing me to help them with their children in only a way that a grandmother can. I hope that one day my grandchildren will look back on their childhood and recall these wonderful memories we shared together.
I know I will.
As for the woman who doesn’t want to bother herself with spending time with her grandchildren because she’s raised her own children, I can only feel sorry for her.
After all, life doesn’t get any better than it is when you have grandchildren!
