Community Chat

[pandapink]

My kids are grown now,but when they were little,neither my mom nor my MIL were interested in babysitting.

When they DID,we had to drop off ,pick up ,provide ALL food,snacks, and formula/milk.MIL even charged me (by the hour, per child).

Needless to say,we hired babysitters when we were lucky enough to have a few extra dollars to afford a movie or Applebee's.

As a result,the grandparents only really saw the kids on holidays,and family gatherings.

What they DIDN'T realize ,is that they missed the opportunity to forge a priceless bond.You see grandparents out there,something happens...something WONDERFUL,when you are with your grandbabies,and mom and dad are out. The time you spend with them,reading,or playing games or singing with them,makes an indelible mark on their psyche's.It's MAGICAL to them!

They will become teens and move away from you emotionally (as they should),but then they "grow up" and will remember the warm loving memories forged when they were small.

It's not about "I raised my kids,now you raise yours"....it's about taking an all to short opportunity,when they are full of wonder,to make a lasting impression on their small hearts.

Now ,my kids are grown,and sadly ,their grandparents aren't really important to them.I can't blame them.They were treated like they were a nuisance when they were small.Our parents were much too busy,to bother.

My goddaughter's grandmother spent as much time with her as she could get.I often told her I wanted her to be MY children's grandmother.And now,her granddaughter is a lovely young woman,who has an equally wonderful relationship with her grandma.My goddaughter makes time to spend with her grandma,doing lunch,and getting manicures and going shopping.

You reap what you sow.....

While I'm not in a hurry to be a grandmother(DD is still in college),I am gonna be a GREAT one!! I'm going to spend every minute I can with them.God willing.

Life is not a dress rehearsal.

jmo,

panda