A Grandmother's Random Thoughts~

I wish that I could have been a grandmother first before becoming a mother. I know that in some cultures the  parents go out to work and the children are basically raised by their grandparents. I am actually thinking that  might be good. Case in point is that being a grandmother has many perks. Frist of all the grandchildren automatically love their grandparents and will usually obey them better than they do their own parents. I have found that I am more patient as a grandmother than I was as a mother. I certainly remain much calmer during chaotic moments. I think this may be due to the fact that we don't take life as seriously as we did as parents. It's the been there done that syndrome. Most things are not as big a deal as you make it.
These past few months I have been able to enjoy being with several of my large posterity of grandchildren. It has always been delightful. These grandchildren seldom do anything wrong when they are at grandma's house. In fact ,they basically can do no wrong. My grandchildren are the cutest and the best of anyone else's grandchildren. This is not up for debate; it's just true. 

I also love the fact that when my grandchildren visit I can basically spoil them as much as I want. 

 

 

It is a given that when they visit grandma's house their will be cookies and snacks available and other fun activities.  Yes, the parents can grumble about what I may do but in the long run the grandchildren are just so endearing that I can take any backlash from my own children. I can still tune my children out; it's a gift that you learn while in the survival mode of raising children. Yes, being a grandmother is so much easier than actually being a mother. Who can resist those sweet moments with grandchildren. Now I have time to relax and enjoy loving and having fun times with them.
Now for my other random thoughts on raising children. I have made it a point to give my own grandchildren some timely advice. It is the Obedience + trust = Freedom equation. I have informed them that if they will obey their parents; they will have more freedom. For instance always call home when you are going to be late; or call home to tell them where you are and when you will be home. Always tell your parents the truth even if it is hard to do so. Learn to quickly obey and you will have great benefits. It's kind of an insurance policy for more freedom. A big one is always be respectful to your parents and grandparents. There is probably a longer list of these kinds of rules but if obeyed one can then develop a trusting relationship with their parents. Once this trust is proven then the child has more freedom to do more things. For some reason this is such a simple equation so why does it have to be so hard to do. The truth is it doesn't; just do it. All my grandchildren know this equation and I hope they will follow it.
This equation worked well in my life.. I was good at telling my parents where I was going, who I was going with and what I planned to do. Because, I was thoughtful and obedient; I basically able to do almost everything I wanted to do. I seldom was grounded for anything. Some of my friends didn't do this and they spent many days being grounded to their home. Now days it maybe referred to as house arrest.
I had one son that was on house arrest a lot. I often wondered how he could still find trouble. Now he has his own children, 7 of them and amongst them are a couple just like him. This is called payback time. 
Right now I am in Missouri caring for 5 of my precious grandchildren.

Abbey, April, Sariah and Levi, Faith~

Abbey, April, Grandma, Sariah and Levi, Faith~

 

We are having so much fun together.

The dress rehearsal for Halloween - Faith and Levi~

I love that they can laugh with me and actually smile at all of my light hearted jokes. There are four girls and one little boy. The girls basically run the home. I haven't had to make any meals or clean up any messes; they do it all.  They are amazing and it is a treat to spend time with them.
 I have had the opportunity to care for all my grandchildren at various times through the years and I love the role of being a grandmother. It is one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
There is one final perk of being a grandmother. You can enjoy time with your grandchildren and then know their parents will be coming to pick them up and take them home. You can then go back to reading a good book In your rocking chair. Of course, that statement is a fallacy. I still do not have time to read a book in my rocking chair.  However, there is a bit more peace and quiet with just my husband after the last grandchild had gone home.
Blessings and hugs to all you dear grandparents out there. Cherish your moments with your grandchildren. They are the spice of life in your golden years.

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Hugs to all you dear mothers too. Cherish all of your precious minutes with your children they will go fast.