How are you grandmothering your grandchildren? Do you share time with them? Do you take them on vacations? Do you help them with their homework? Are you a Grandfamily with your grandchildren living with you and <a href="http://www.uwex.edu/relationships/" target="_blank">you're their primary caregiver</a>? Do you get to see your grandchildren?
There are as many grandmother stories about our relationship with our grandchildren as there are grandmothers. That is what is wonderful about the diverse world we live in. We can share these stories and that diversity!
When my grandson Caden was younger, I used to make up silly rhymes with him while I pushed him on the swing. Even as he got older, he'd rope me into those rhymes and giggle when I'd say words that delighted him. To hear his laugh, to see him smile and his eyes light up, it is heaven. Even if we have little time with our little ones, the time is the gift. Share yourself with your grandkids and you'll find yourself again. Stories about your childhood, about your family, about how you see life are what will shape their view of the world and their view of you.
Making things together during a holiday is a wonderful way to share time together. Make a home made card, or home made candy together and just chat about what's going on in their world. You'll always be amazed at what they know and how their minds work. Here's<a href="http://www.wisewomen.org/images/thanksgiving_tree.pdf" target="_blank"> instructions</a> and a <a href="http://www.wisewomen.org/images/pattern_tree.pdf" target="_blank"> pattern</a> for a Child's Thanksgiving Tree and a beautiful <a href="http://www.wisewomen.org/images/wreath.pdf" target="_blank"> Coffee Filter wreath</a>. I found these at <a href="http://crafterscommunity.com" target="_blank">crafterscommunity.com</a> and there are tons of other resources online.
We're blessed to be Nannas. Share that blessing in any way you can. It doesn't cost anything and you could be giving them a place to hold on to when things get rough in the future. I never knew my father's parents and I feel the loss still. I only knew my mother's parents for a short time into adulthood when I became somewhat conscious. They had gifts of stories on the farm, unique family rituals and things that were meaningful to share.
Taking your grandchildren to the library is an exciting adventure! Story time for them, is joy time for us. All those eyes in rapt attention to the story-teller. It helps us focus on what's important in life. Curiosity, laughter, fears and hopes come through stories. Taking some books home and reading them with your grandchildren will give you a sense of centering, clarity and closeness. As Martha says, "It's a good thing!"
If your grandchildren are far away, send them books for the holidays and "just because I love you!" days. Read the book before you send it and then discuss it with them after they get a chance to read it. If you are a tech-smart grandmother and live far away, get a camera for your computer and one for theirs and talk online with each other so you can "see" each other. Make <a href="http://www.photoshow.com/maker" target="_blank">little movies </a>with pictures you've taken and poems you've written and share it with them. Photoshow doesn't charge anything for this. You're giving them the gift of you, your creativity and the inspiration and support for their own creative urges.
View image: Caden with Nana Carole Horsin' Around
If you are not able to see your grandchildren, give all that love, excitement, joy and wisdom to children in your community who long for a nana, just like you. You may make a difference in someone's life that otherwise would have been alone. Healing is what nanas do best!
How do you spend "time" with your grandchildren? How do you share your lives? Are they near or far? Please share your stories with me.
As the song goes, "Turn around and you're one, turn around and you're four, turn around and you're a young man walking out of the door."
Too soon they grow up and too soon time is past. Sharing the "now" is what will last.
Blessings to Nanas and their grandchildren everywhere.
There are as many grandmother stories about our relationship with our grandchildren as there are grandmothers. That is what is wonderful about the diverse world we live in. We can share these stories and that diversity!
When my grandson Caden was younger, I used to make up silly rhymes with him while I pushed him on the swing. Even as he got older, he'd rope me into those rhymes and giggle when I'd say words that delighted him. To hear his laugh, to see him smile and his eyes light up, it is heaven. Even if we have little time with our little ones, the time is the gift. Share yourself with your grandkids and you'll find yourself again. Stories about your childhood, about your family, about how you see life are what will shape their view of the world and their view of you.
Making things together during a holiday is a wonderful way to share time together. Make a home made card, or home made candy together and just chat about what's going on in their world. You'll always be amazed at what they know and how their minds work. Here's<a href="http://www.wisewomen.org/images/thanksgiving_tree.pdf" target="_blank"> instructions</a> and a <a href="http://www.wisewomen.org/images/pattern_tree.pdf" target="_blank"> pattern</a> for a Child's Thanksgiving Tree and a beautiful <a href="http://www.wisewomen.org/images/wreath.pdf" target="_blank"> Coffee Filter wreath</a>. I found these at <a href="http://crafterscommunity.com" target="_blank">crafterscommunity.com</a> and there are tons of other resources online.
We're blessed to be Nannas. Share that blessing in any way you can. It doesn't cost anything and you could be giving them a place to hold on to when things get rough in the future. I never knew my father's parents and I feel the loss still. I only knew my mother's parents for a short time into adulthood when I became somewhat conscious. They had gifts of stories on the farm, unique family rituals and things that were meaningful to share.
Taking your grandchildren to the library is an exciting adventure! Story time for them, is joy time for us. All those eyes in rapt attention to the story-teller. It helps us focus on what's important in life. Curiosity, laughter, fears and hopes come through stories. Taking some books home and reading them with your grandchildren will give you a sense of centering, clarity and closeness. As Martha says, "It's a good thing!"
If your grandchildren are far away, send them books for the holidays and "just because I love you!" days. Read the book before you send it and then discuss it with them after they get a chance to read it. If you are a tech-smart grandmother and live far away, get a camera for your computer and one for theirs and talk online with each other so you can "see" each other. Make <a href="http://www.photoshow.com/maker" target="_blank">little movies </a>with pictures you've taken and poems you've written and share it with them. Photoshow doesn't charge anything for this. You're giving them the gift of you, your creativity and the inspiration and support for their own creative urges.
View image: Caden with Nana Carole Horsin' Around
If you are not able to see your grandchildren, give all that love, excitement, joy and wisdom to children in your community who long for a nana, just like you. You may make a difference in someone's life that otherwise would have been alone. Healing is what nanas do best!
How do you spend "time" with your grandchildren? How do you share your lives? Are they near or far? Please share your stories with me.
As the song goes, "Turn around and you're one, turn around and you're four, turn around and you're a young man walking out of the door."
Too soon they grow up and too soon time is past. Sharing the "now" is what will last.
Blessings to Nanas and their grandchildren everywhere.
Leave a comment