I did not grow up with grandparents as a part of my daily life. Most of my relatives live in Belfast, so we were only able to spend time with my grandparents for the few weeks they came in the summer or the few weeks we went there.
I remember when I was little feeling envious of my friends when they would talk about going to their grandparents for dinner or for sleepovers.
Some even had grandparents who lived with them. I thought that must have been the best!
I remember when I was little feeling envious of my friends when they would talk about going to their grandparents for dinner or for sleepovers.
Some even had grandparents who lived with them. I thought that must have been the best!
Our children are fortunate to have all 4 grandparents as part of our daily life.
They each live no more than a 10 minute drive between us and each other. All in the same town.
They each live no more than a 10 minute drive between us and each other. All in the same town.
Sean and I, in our almost 12 years as parents, have yet to pay a babysitter.
We are very aware how lucky we are.
We are completely comfortable with any/all of them taking care of Cuyler and his unique needs. We know that they can manage his unique behaviours (although we may have had to reinforce to one grandparent in particular the importance of his gluten and dairy free diet).
Sean and my Dad enjoy watching the English premier football league together. Those Sunday mornings when ManU play Liverpool are always fun…<sigh>
My Dad and Sean’s Dad will sometimes get together for a beer.
We often share Sunday dinners altogether.
We share birthday celebrations and Christmas dinners.
Eva goes for sleepovers regularly at either Sean’s parents or my mums.
We can usually drop all three of them off for a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon so we can run errands sans enfants.
There is always a grandparent available for last minute help with school drop offs or pickups or doctors appointments.
They are able to be there and cheer Cam on at the arena.
Sean and I get out for dinner dates fairly regularly. We get to go out for nights out with friends regularly.
We often share Sunday dinners altogether.
We share birthday celebrations and Christmas dinners.
Eva goes for sleepovers regularly at either Sean’s parents or my mums.
We can usually drop all three of them off for a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon so we can run errands sans enfants.
There is always a grandparent available for last minute help with school drop offs or pickups or doctors appointments.
They are able to be there and cheer Cam on at the arena.
Sean and I get out for dinner dates fairly regularly. We get to go out for nights out with friends regularly.
And on occasion, when we really need a break we will force a sleepover on Cuyler. He’s a creature of habit and really (I mean really) prefers his own bed, so sleepovers can be tricky with him. But yes – we do get a few nights of the year off with no kids at all.
We are lucky. Our kids are lucky.
Snuggles with Nana on Christmas Eve
Eva hanging with Gramma in the lake
Cuyler ATVing with Grampa
Eva’s weekly swim with Granda
Eva’s weekly swim with Granda
Do your children have a close relationship with their grandparents? Do grandparents play a role in their/your lives?
Wow! You are very lucky indeed! My childrens’ grandparents really are the opposite. Even though the closest one is 15 minutes away she never really babysits and only sees the kids unless she can be included in something entertaining.
It’s a wonderful situation you have there, lady… all my grandparents lived in Jamaica, and we didn’t visit terribly often. My kids are growing up with grandparents in different cities, and we don’t visit as much as we’d all like.
Besides having the closeness of family as a day-to-day reality… never paying for sitters + sleep-overs sometimes? That’s amazing. We’ve never… oh, what an idea. Enjoy it all. Savour it all. Good for you guys!!
I think my kids are really missing out on this! They see my dad all of the time and are close to him but not in a “snuggle and play” kind of way. He is very present.
However, my mom – the world’s BEST EVER grandma – died 3.5 years ago (Kath and I are sisters) and left a huge whole where that relationship should be. Plus, my husband’s parents are in their 80s and we only see them a few times a year.
Enjoy and relish every moment. Your kids will be better for having them in their lives!
*le sigh* This is very much how I grew up…living a few blocks from one set of grandparents, and only a short drive from the other set. I had four living grandparents who were very much involved in my life until my Grandpa died when I was in grade eight, and then three living grandparents until I was in my twenties.
Sadly for my kids this isn’t the reality. My mom died 3.5 years ago and we live way across the country from the extended family and only get to see grandparents and cousins (which at this age means more to them) once or twice a year.
Enjoy your grandparent good fortune – it’s awesome all around.
I love this for both how lucky you are and and how you realize it. Will has two and they are fairly involved but babysitting is few and far between…they recognize their shortcomings though and give me a babysitting ‘allowance’ to make up for it….they rock. Heading to FLA with them next week!!!