I spent the day with my granddaughters. It was quite chock-full of fun and laughter. I went into their house to stay while my daughter in law met my son for lunch, and to a movie by herself.
I have never, in all of my *)&# years gone to a movie by myself. I have never gone to a movie on a work day, either. Both sound wonderfully sinful.
Back to my point.
When our kids were young, my mom was never very interested in being a grandmother. In fact, she moved to California within 6 months of the birth of her first grandchild. As you know from my recent posts, she returned a week ago. The oldest grandchild is now 30.
My in laws did spend time with their grandchildren. In fact, they did several very special things with them. My mother-in-law bought three season tickets for the Children’s Theater, and took at least one grandchild each season. This is how my sons’ love for the theater was nourished. They were in their late 60’s when the first grandchild was born, though, and caring for the kids for any length of time was pretty difficult.
It has been my hope to be a totally different type of grandparent to my grandchildren. I want them to remember me fondly. I want them to just remember me, frankly. I want to spend time with them. I love to hear them tell me stories. I enjoy playing their games. We read books and more books, and the same books again, over and over. They are now 3 1/2 and 1 1/2. The oldest is starting to get the idea of reading. The youngest doesn’t talk much, but knows her colors, all of the parts of the body, and has a sweet disposition. How can you miss out on that?
I have very fond memories of my grandfather from when I was quite young. I have very fond memories of my grandmother from when I was a bit older.
I am a different type of grandma from either my mother or my grandmother. My mom still is not very interested in her grandchildren, and has very little interest in her great grandchildren. It baffles me. I hope to do all sorts of things with my grandchildren. I look forward to many conversations, lots of make believe, and hopefully many road trips with my grandchildren. I want to be involved in their lives. I want them to be a part of my life. Being a grandparent is the best part of my life right now.
I feel sorry for my mom. She has missed out on so much.
I think I must be the grandma type.
But I am NOT old!
Just My Life 
Absolutely, you are not old!
I hope one day I will have grandchildren with whom I can spend time. My remaining sisters both love being grandparents and I don’t imagine I’ll be any different.
In the meantime, my sons remain the best part of my life, even if these days they’re mostly busy living their own lives!
So glad you are able to have wonderful times with your granddaughters. The only grandma I had wasn’t involved in my life, but I took the boys to visit my parents regularly once we moved back to MN. I’m glad they had those times together, even if my youngest son really doesn’t remember much anymore.
By: Yael on November 6, 2010
at 11:51 pm
If your sons are a big part of your life, your grandchildren will be, too. I wasn’t sure how it would be for my sons’ children, as the kids’ moms will be raising them with a different method than I have taught my sons. But I love my daughter-in-law very much and she is a wonderful mom. She has also brought out the best in my son as a dad.
By: chlost on November 7, 2010
at 8:42 pm
You are probably a GREAT grandma…and YES…you are NOT old! 🙂
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 7, 2010
at 4:53 pm
Some days I feel older than others!
By: chlost on November 7, 2010
at 8:42 pm