You’ve probably heard a grandparent express something along the lines of: “If I had realized how wonderful being a grandparent is, I would have skipped parenthood and gone straight to grandparenthood.”
While parenting is undeniably one of the most crucial roles in the world, it also ranks among the most challenging. On the other hand, grandparenting offers all the benefits of parenting without the associated difficulties.
In the realm of grandparenthood, there are no middle-of-the-night awakenings, no anxieties when a toddler nears a sharp corner or fragile vase, no handling of bodily waste or hazardous messes, and no round-the-clock responsibility for another precious life. Additionally, grandchildren serve as exceptional teachers.
One memorable instance involved our granddaughter, who, at around three years old, attended a daycare facility in Farmington just a short distance from our home. On a day when her father couldn’t pick her up, we had the privilege of doing so. The reaction we received upon arrival at the daycare was akin to presenting her with a life-sized chocolate pony wrapped in Disney World tickets.
“Nana,” she exclaimed to my wife, her voice filled with surprise, wonder, and gratitude. “You came to my school.” The sheer delight in her voice made it seem as though our journey to reach her involved traversing scorching hot coals barefoot, then plunging down Niagara Falls au naturel while fending off a horde of airborne malevolent monkeys.
Although we felt somewhat out of place at her school, her warm reception made us feel truly appreciated. She imparted upon us a profound lesson in gratitude towards those who offer assistance.
Conversely, her sister imparts entirely different teachings to us, her student grandparents. One day, she surveyed our yard and remarked, “Your lawn has more dirt than grass.” She even inspected my teeth and concluded (in essence) that they were more lemon-colored than pearly white. This granddaughter encourages us to embrace honesty, confront uncomfortable truths, and engage with reality. Perhaps she embodies truth, while her sister epitomizes grace. (Interestingly, her sister’s middle name is Grace.) An added bonus: Compliments from our candid truth-teller hold special weight.
However, this truth-teller is not infallible. She believes I am incapable of executing “The Floss” dance, yet my moves are as smooth as silk. Picture me gliding effortlessly, akin to a volcano erupting during an earthquake.
Our six-year-old grandson possesses a vehicle collection comparable in size to the combined inventory of every Toyota dealership in New England. Thankfully, his fleet comprises significantly smaller models. This grandson instills confidence.
During a car ride (where else would we be with the Vehicle King?), he declared, “I know a great deal about vehicles, but I’m unsure about what a carburetor is.” You’re doing great, buddy. He teaches us the value of taking pride in our knowledge, sharing it with others, and continuously seeking further education.
Even our youngest grandchild, at just two and a half years old, imparts numerous valuable lessons. When she’s upset and we inquire about her needs, she often responds, “I just need a hug.” In many instances, that’s excellent advice for maintaining good health.
This young prodigy has shown us that in a game like Connect Four, you can either adhere strictly to the rules or simply enjoy dropping the red and yellow discs into the slots to create a pleasing pattern. She demonstrates the importance of utilizing tools to the best of your ability, rather than attempting to match the proficiency of a more advanced learner. Eventually, you’ll grasp the fundamental lesson and derive much more enjoyment along the way.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoy the school of grandparenting. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that we’re only at the elementary level of performance. Each day brings a new curriculum, and the only downside is that we have no desire to ever “graduate.”