Being a grandparent is fun. I feel like I have a magic wand as well as a tiara. They love to listen to me read books. Being boys, they especially like books that include mud, burping, gas and bad babies getting into mischief.
Living here also has given me some responsibility. I'm not just the Disneyland Grandma anymore. I have to help the parents teach them to do as much for themselves as they can. Clean up time is hardest. I was always making a game of it and racing to see who could pick up the most toys. With me mostly picking up the toys. Now I'm merely a cheerleader ... often physically helping Mr. 3 pick up a toy and put it in the box.
Same deal with getting dressed. When Mr. 3 wants to change his outfit, it's unbelievable that he can do it all, almost by himself! Now that I have witnessed that, he can start dressing himself every day. He usually says things like "I too tired, Gramma. You have to dress Deekie". It's hard to know how much to help and how much is enabling him to be a lazy little fellow.
Mr. 6 does everything for himself on school mornings except pack his lunch and make his breakfast. But it is his job to brush teeth, use potty, comb hair and put everything in his backpack. It's hard on my heart but I have had to send him back to the house to get his lunch or library book...in the rain. But he does much better remembering now!
Both boys take their used dishes to the kitchen after a meal, usually without a reminder. They put dirty clothes in the hamper.
Sometimes making them do things themselves is hard on my heart. They are only little for such a short time. But I know it is better for them in the long run!
Glad you are having fun. I'm sure your daughter and S-I-L really appreciate it and the boys will too when they're old enough to understand what a great thing it is to have a grandmother so close at hand.
ReplyDeleteMy family was not very close yet I have sweet memories of my Grandma ... she died when I was 13. She would have me and one cousin come spend the night. Good times!
DeleteYou are a terrific grandma. It is so important to urge them to become independent. It isn't always easy, but it's kinder to give them 'our' consequences when they're young than for someone else to give them consequences when they're adults. It is wonderful that you're such an intimate part of their lives. They will only benefit.
ReplyDeleteAh ha ha! You should hear Mr. 3 when he tells me "go back to Maui, Gramma" when he doesn't get his way! Or that I'm a poopy head. That kid cracks me up.
DeleteYou are doing them such a favor!!! I remember the first time my oldest forgot his lunch. I so wanted to run it up to the school for him, but I had a brand new baby and it would have been difficult. BTW--he never forgot again. LOL You are the "parent" with all the experience of what worked and what didn't, so you are an important asset in that family!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI helped my daughter out a few times but mostly let her take the consequences. It is so much harder on us, I think!
Delete