Many things in life are overrated, but becoming a grandparent isn’t one of them. What a delight to have little ones in my life as I’m growing old. When I had young children, I was too busy (and tired) to appreciate much of what was unfolding. Pausing back then to watch a child play or looking to see life as he saw it was an unaffordable luxury.
But it’s all different during grandmotherhood. In one sense I’m a bystander, able to take time to observe objectively, yet the opposite is also true. I can claim them as “my own grands” and get involved with them on that basis. I can enjoy their energy but still count on a night’s sleep without having to get up to feed the baby. As Mom said often, “If I’d known how much fun grandkids were, I’d have had them first.” I get what she meant.
The only down side to being a grandparent is the steep learning curve. For example, when I was keeping track of infant Micah and toddler Skylar for a while today, I couldn’t figure out how to unfold the new double stroller. Adam came home from work and demonstrated how easily it unfolded with one flick of a lever. “We’ll just leave it open,” he graciously said, parking it in the garage for tomorrow’s use.
Inside the house the grandma learning curve is just as steep. Child safety locks on all the lower cabinets are enough to split fingernails and stymie a fully functioning adult, although I watched year-old Skylar undo one of them with one hand.
When I loaded the dishwasher the other night and it wouldn’t work, I had to ask for help again. Linnea’s answer was interesting. “We flip the circuit breaker when we’re not using it, otherwise Skylar runs it through cycle after cycle.” Now, before doing the dishes, I head for the fuse box.
Working the TV remotes was another problem. Because Skylar works the buttons and switches of anything within reach, they’ve put the VCR and DVD players atop the highest shelf. The remotes don’t work unless pointed to the ceiling. At least it was a solution I understood.
Getting into the bathroom was tricky, too, when no one was inside and the door still wouldn’t open. The hook and eye latch above my head was the cause, and Skylar was the reason. There have been other locking issues for this grandma to learn, too, such as the flipped bedroom doorknob that locks on the hall side rather than from in the room. No surprise that Skylar is the reason for this one, too, as her parents try to keep her from dismantling the guest room. Of course if a guest accidentally turns the button before entering the room, she’ll have to use her cell phone to call for release.
I’ve learned to keep the pantry door locked (Skylar again), the front door bolted (Skylar) and the dog bowls out on the patio (yes, Skylar). All the bottom dresser drawers are empty to prevent them from being routinely emptied onto the floor, and everything must be pushed away from the edges of dresser tops, kitchen counters and bathroom vanity tops. Pudgy little hands have a determined reach.
I wholeheartedly agree that grandchildren are a supreme blessing, gifts from God. Just remember, poopy diapers go in one trash can and wet ones in another. And don’t tell anyone that once I get home, I’ll need a week to recuperate from my vacation with the grandchildren.
“The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” (Proverbs 20:7)
How fun! Can’t wait to see Ellie again and help Carl & Maggie when their new one comes at the end of July.
Sylar & Micah are precious. Enjoy your time with them. Grandchildren are another example of God’s miracles!
I giggled my way through this blog today. Incredible.
Hi Margaret,
Fort Knox needs to change their headquarters!
Hearing that an expert stay at home mom also felt like life was too busy to enjoy watching it all unfold, has been a balm to my spirit. I always just thought that feeling was because I am a working mom, though I had the blessing of part time for most of the growing up years. I still have a few more years of my daughter at home and I am very conscious of being very present, but I do feel loss at times because I could not enjoy little things like middle of the nights knowing I had to be up early the next morning and stand coherently in front of other people’s children. A sick child meant lots of schedule juggling. Even now, my capacity to match waking and sleeping hours is diminished. I do look back with second guessing and questioning myself. Thanks for your reflections without pretense as it makes me more hopeful and encouraged.
With love,
Terry
My son and daughter-in-law have a lock like the one in the picture on the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom. I’ve never been able to figure out how to open it. I think you need a degree in engineering.
I love it! So true Margaret! We now understand what this “grandparent” thing is all about and what fun it is!
Interesting how a child can undo a childproof lock with one hand when it takes both of our hands and frustrated mind to try to undo the very same lock. I have that similar problem with a puzzle of a buckle with the spare car seat in our truck. ;0)
LOL LOL LOL…..you and TLC are so fun to ‘watch’…as a GG, having been there and done that…I do enjoy watching my children be grands…almost as much as watching the little ones. One of God’s blessings of being older.
I love this blog and look forward to the experience, but I’m wondering if you shouldn’t tutor some of us on the new contraptions. I am still afraid of diaper genies since II broke the first on while babysitting. Have a great time with your grands.
I laughed and laughed! And now that I take care of our Hunter 2-3 days a week I relate to needing a vacation when you get home! I’m often in bed at 8:30 after he is picked up. Our little guy can open those spiffy new cabinet locks too–the ingenuity it takes to be a parent these days–not to mention some handyman abilities! At our house we use rubber-bands!! Thankfully door knobs are still too high , but the way Hunter loves all things shiny and mechanical we may be in trouble soon.
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