Top Eleven things I have learned about being a Grandma

Post date: Sep 25, 2015 3:51:16 AM

Blog post for September 25, 2015

Now that Corbin is turning five this week, I realize how much I have learned about being a grandma.

1. The sweetest word is "Grandma!" Or, "Gamma Cherie!" The next best is "I go your house?"

2. Stock up on Mac and cheese, applesauce in those flexible squirt tubes, fruit snacks and animal crackers. Also, don't forget the milk and Herseys chocolate syrup.

3. Babies are pretty tough.....changing that first diaper on a tiny baby can be a little scary, but you will both survive. Yes, it's been a couple of decades since you changed diapers but you can do it! You may be a little clumsy at first, but your grandbaby won't mind as long as you talk and smile and joke (oh my...what a terrible mess!! With lots of dramatic facial expressions and vocal tones)

4. Grandpa Mike will someday brag he never changed one diaper, but he did comfort sick babies, run to the store for baby Tylenol, build and knock down a lot of Legos and blocks, and do light saber duels.

5. Find a YouTube video on strapping babies into car seats and practice...One of the first times we took Corbin for overnight we struggled with his car seat. How many masters’ degrees does it take to strap Corbin into his car seat--maybe more than 5? When we finally got it, he got excited and clapped when I said, "we did it!!"

6. Babies like language, sounds, touch, and eye contact. Cuddle up and read to them using colorful books with lots of pictures. We found a farm book that had a built-in “moo” button. Mike joked it didn't have much of a plot, but Corbin loved that book—and so does little brother Mason.

7. Toddlers want down on the ground! They like big simple puzzles and those stacking rings on a cone. They love any toy they can scoot: I found a little plastic car for Corbin and he was pushing it around the kitchen until he ran into the wall—and laughed. When they do something new, be sure to praise them..."you did it!!"

8. However, whatever you think you know about grandchildren goes out the window once the second one arrives with his or her own personality. Mason taught us that!

9. Never worry that you won't be able to love the second child as much as the first. The second child wears lots of hand-me downs but the second they place that baby in your arms, you will know that love expands to fill the space, and there is more than enough love to go around.

10. One of the best things about being a grandmother is remembering your own grandmothers.....

Grandma Nellie taught me to walk on stilts out on the farm when she was in her 60s. She always had tiny bottles of cold pop and let me play with all sorts of treasures, like a button box or vintage paper dolls. We would swing or pick things in her garden, go see the chickens, or go down into the cool storm cave to sit and talk.

Great Grandma Eva called me her baby doll and had the warmest embrace. She carried a tiny coin purse on a string down her bosom, where she had hankies and awful pink candies, which cousin Jon and I always ate, because they came from her. She loved pretty things, carried herself very proudly, always had her hair done, and loved to quilt. She was Nellie's mother-in-law, but they were really as close as most mothers and daughters.

I’ve also learned about being a grandmother from watching my own mother with my kids; she was wonderful! She bought books and games and records and spent time reading and playing with Mikki and Jon; she and my father kept the children many nights so that I could study or sometimes have some time to myself.

I’ve also watched my big sister Cathi, my Aunt Jeanne, my cousin Charlene, and friends as grandmas….and picked up some great tips.

11. Finally, take lots of pictures....those grandchildren grow up so quickly!

Last updated September 24, 2015