There are so many things going on in the world. Things that make us angry, or scared, or worried. Sometimes it seems like the world is going crazy. And it’s hard to not get so wrapped up in those feelings that we forget to notice what is good, and to be grateful for it. So, in this month of thanks, and because this is a grandma column, here are five reasons I’m grateful for my grandkids:
Grandkids give us a chance to experience all the great parts of raising kids, and none of the hard stuff. We get to do fun things with them, and watch our favorite shows, and take them shopping for school clothes, and try to pass on the things old people know about life. But, we aren’t responsible for all of the hard stuff. The daily grind of school schedules, and nutritious meals, and extracurricular activities, and discipline. I love my one day a week of babysitting the grandkids. And I love my quiet home and glass of wine after they go home!
My grandkids have given me the chance to see my baby girl as a mother. I love watching my daughter be a mother. I love that I see in her all the best parts of the women who influenced her the most: me, my sister, and my mother. Watching her brave determination to make her own way, and parent in her own style, is affirmation that I did something right – I gave her the confidence and wings to create a beautiful family.
My grandkids keep my music library relevant. They are young – only three and six. But their musical tastes are very mature. LOL. Through them I discovered Dua Lipa and Lizzo. And nothing makes me smile more than cranking up the tunes and watching them dance and sing.
My grandkids force me to slow down. I’m always packing too much into a day. I work twelve hours a day, then I stop and take care of two or three errands on the way home, and or come home and clean the bathroom or something. I find myself constantly rushing on to the next thing I have to take care of. But my grandkids dawdle. If I need to run errands when I have them, I have learned to relax and not hurry. Because they move at their own pace, and nothing I say or do changes that. When it’s time to leave, they suddenly realize at that moment they need to use the toilet. They must get their socks on just so, because they don’t like the seams rubbing their toes. Then they take several minutes to walk out to my truck and get themselves belted in comfortably. Then we can’t leave the driveway until one of their favorite songs is playing. But you know what? I still get things done. And I’m not stressed out and rushing, because my grandkids behave better and are more happy when we take our time. My blood pressure thanks them!
I’m grateful for the love between me and my grandchildren. I love how their little faces light up when I go to their house. I love the excited way they yell “Grandma!” when they see me. I love the feeling of peace and contentment I feel when I sit on the couch and hold them and they wrap their sweet little arms around my neck and lay their head on my shoulder. I love the way they smell. I love that their existence has healed my heart in so many ways. I love that they love me.
TRICIA VLASAK is a mother and grandparent. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on adventures. Tricia received a Silver Award for feature writing from Parenting Media Association in 2021.
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