And then…there were two!!!
Not like I am remotely diminishing the role of the parent – BUT let us be real shall we.
Grandparents have the best of both worlds.
We get to use our skills as parents – with the diapers and the burping and then “ya no – don’t sit on the cat” moments BUT then we get to leave.
It is epic!!!!
We get all the fun and none of the night time feedings taking diapers off and painting our room with shit – messy house- NO I don’t want that snack – NO I don’t want that shirt – NO I don’t want those pants.
AAAANNNDDDD when we do encounter those -well hell – we can leave!!!
We get it all cause let’s be real shall we – been there done that own the friggin’ factory that makes those tshirts!
We get the newborn snuggles of the most amazing smells and the baby yoga/ballet/Disney.
We get the dancing and laughing our asses off playdoh moments of stickers on phones and baby brothers and walls.
We get the “don’t want those eggs? here have a fruit pouch” day care drop offs of love you see you tomorrow kisses and high fives.
Not the NO – I don’t want a bath NO GG NO – I don’t want a hug – NO NO NO NO NO.
We get to buy annoying AF toys that they will play with what once??
We get to buy a pony (have not done that yet but working on it) hanging with HER chicken Bobbles.
The Grandparent is a wonderful role.
We get to look at our children attempt to handle what we did – 20/30 years ago when times were different in this modern F’d up world – during a friggin’ pandemic I might add and say – “that is not how we did it” but it still gets done!
We get to watch that child that we saw cover the walls in painted on shit with the side eye no’s of defiance eating all the snacks of stuff and dry erase markered clothes deal with the same in real time and we sit back and smile.
And you wanna know why we smile?
Cause well – we know we raised our children to be able deal with the huge responsibility of being a parent to hand that down to their children/grandchildren and we keep that circle going.
THAT is why we smile.
It is my fondest most bestest (aware it’s not a word FYI) wish that I can be around long enough to watch MY children be grandparents cause then I’ll say “that is now how I did it my day” and they’ll get it!
One of my most amazing proud moments in my life was when my daughter became a mother as it took our relationship to an entirely new level.
And I watched her become that mother that goes back generations of strong women/mothers that has been passed down.
And NOW we have another wee one to add to our every growing mishmash of a family.
While it ain’t all sunshine and roses – it is what it is.
I have two now- a girl and a boy- the million dollar family one might say.
To me – they are priceless as are my children.
They are my world.
Orange Acres 