Tags
My toddler is lucky. Really, really lucky. She has two sets of grandparents who adore her.
She’s been adored from the moment they met her.
In fact, as I write this, my little girl is with one set of grandparents (my parents) down in Devon, on her own. And you know what? That’s how it should be.
My daughter’s grandparents love her and want to spend time with her and I like that they (sometimes) get to do that without me. Frog’s completely comfortable with both Grandma and Granddad, Marmar and Dadaz.
As much as I want to be part of the memories she’s making – the beach visits and the icecreams, the trips to the park and the bedtime stories – there’s something pretty special about the fact she’s doing these things without me. She’s spending quality time with people who love her, without me.
I remember when Frog was just over a year old, we left her for a night with her northern grandparents, while we visited friends nearby. I was anxious at first, but after being reminded she was being looked after by a couple who’d happily raised three of their own boys, I knew not to fret.
As much as we loved the night off, it was also lovely to know Frog had enjoyed some time bonding with her grandparents without us being there to distract her. Now, if she cries when her grandparents are around, she’s just as likely to go to one of them for a cuddle as she is to come to me or her dad. Sometimes she actually prefers to be on her own with them, demanding “Mummy and Daddy NOT here now”, while she pulls a grandparent this way or that.
My mum tries to explain to me how different it is having a grandchild compared to having a child. I think it’s something about enjoying each phase more, being more laid back and having the time and patience not to worry about things. And there’s something in there about not feeling guilty proffering treats near to teatime.
Here are some moments between Frog and her Marmar and Dadaz, the ones who reside in Devon. I’m sure there have been lots more like these over the last couple of days, but I haven’t been there to snap them. As it should be.
My Mum would tell you that being a Granny is almost BETTER than being a parent…….you get to actually ENJOY the time with them, without fretting about whether or not you’re doing it right, whether they are eating their veg and if they are behaving (because you can guarentee they are)!!!
My Girls LOVE being able to stay with both sets of Grandparents (and, funnily enough, they have one set in Devon and one in Lancashire!!) – they have little “traditions” in each place now (chocolate cake at the coffee shop in Devon – they order more in especially when they know the Girls are visiting, trips to the Ice-cream shop for Knickerbocker Glorys in Lancashire) and heaven forbid those should be changed!!!
It’s also good for YOU to know that you can, if you want or need it, have time off from being Mummy and just be Molly for a day or 2, safe in the knowledge she is having the time of her life!!!
It’s so hard for us having the grandparents so far away. They have such a special relationship together it’s great to witness it! It is just something about it that is hard to put into words.
Although our grandparents aren’t as far away as yours, they’re far enough that we only get to see them a few times a year. But those moments, when they do happen, are even more special for the reason they are not common. x
Molly, you are very very lucky.
I know. We really are. x
Being a grandparent=cheaper than gym membership! Rolling down the sand dunes, up the slide endlessly, stretching in soft play area to rescue F in the ball park and giving her a leg up on the bigger climbs, dancing before bed not to mention ducking and diving when having bath water thrown at me. Grandchildren make you feel young again. Thank you for lending her to us, it has been a special time. Love ma x
And she has loved every moment. x
Oh I agree, it’s fab, our house move has taken us to within 45 mins of both sets of grandparents so will hopefully see lots more of them. Our only issue is one set seem a bit more interested than the other, hope the imbalance doesnt continue.
Ah that’s tricky. We’re lucky not to feel that way, but I can imagine that being a bit hurtful (I would be upset if it was me anyway!). But within 45 minutes of both sets is BRILLIANT!