The Three Minute Grandparent

The Three Minute Grandparent: Dressing Getting dressed is like planning a battle. Let's digress; when a Grandparent was younger, getting dressed was simple, choose the wardrobe, sit/stand and one by one ease into all of the clothes. As one ages, it becomes a process that must be planned. Shirts that button are easier than the slip over golf type. Slacks that balloon around the waste and hips are better th an the skin tight, sexy ones. For the Grandmother, tight skirts are a thing of the past and full skirts/dresses are much more comfortable. The control top pantyhose are also something in memory. (As the Grandfather writing, I am relying on Grandmother for some of this.) The process of dressing becomes a symphony of grunts, groans, and moans. Leaning over to pull on socks and shoes has made me wonder what else can be done while so close to the floor. Pulling on slacks becomes a dangerous game of hopping on one foot which leads to pulled muscles - yes it has already happened. I m...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Sleep Sleep for a Grandparent occasionally comes in spurts. Growing older is physical as well as mental. The body ages as does the mind. The need for sleep seems to become less according to my mind, but the body is still screaming for it. Getting up in the night seems to come more often. Thoughts of children and grandchildren seem to dominate the thoughts, and that happens in the night. This can be a positive time of reflection and prayer for the loved ones as we watch the moon move through the sky. Thinking of our family throughout the night is an occasional joy, but still tiring. Naps become the norm throughout the day. Here's thinking of you.

The Three Minute Grandparent: Walking on Water “You want the impossible!  I’m not even going to try!”  Has this ever been thrown in your face?  You reach out and try to help; you give and give then someone bounces this off your wall.  It hurts and you wonder, “Why did I ever reach out to ________?”  These grandparents heard it a time or two and felt the sting of those words.  In retrospect, perhaps the impossible or near impossible was requested from time to time from those that we love the most.  We watched our children grow and wanted to give a nudge here and there; Perhaps a “helpful” comment to help them move forward.  Growing is never easy; however, “If you want to walk on water, you must climb out of the boat.” Walking on water is dangerous, is this hard or soft water?  Seriously, in order to walk on water, one must face the real possibility of getting wet or worse!  It means, one has taken a definitive step from the zone of saf...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Do something Do Something For Yourself. You have been available for your children as they grew up, finished school, moved away and started a life of their own. Now you are available for grandchildren, their visits, needs, hugs and kisses. In short, you have become all things to your family and what is left for you? It's time to do something that you REALLY enjoy. You are thinking. ..thinking...thinking...what do you enjoy? If you are here, its time to discover what you like; what makes your bell ring? Think back, what did you enjoy doing when you could do something for yourself? Do you enjoy singing? Hiking? sewing? Cooking? Perhaps writing? Do it! Whatever it is, do it for yourself! Take some time each day and begin doing something just for yourself. Your spouse and children will be grateful and you will begin to feel fulfilled and happy.

The Three Minute Grandparent: Exercise Exercise - the favorite word of Grandparents everywhere! Someone said, Exercise has been proven to be boring. I agree with this comment so my constant desire and work as been to find new ways to exercise that are NOT boring. I work out 4 days a week at my company gym then try to walk or find something interesting the remaining days. Remember, it's not how hard or how much you work out, but rather that you DID something physical several times a week. You are not exercising just for yourself but also for your spouse, your children and grandchildren. Speaking of grandchildren, one of the best exercises is keeping up with a 2 year old grandchild.  I love our grandchildren…AND….I have a lot of respect for their parents, our children.  Did we actually take care of our young children?  Did we run with them 24 hours a day for 18 years?  I am tired just thinking about it.  My hat is doffed to my wonderful children who are the ...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Team A Grandparent is/was part of a team, a partner in marriage, a part of a together forever duet. I do realize that this is not always the case but in most cases, a grandparent is linked to another grandparent. We are people just like our children and yes we are older. Sometimes we may do things that seem odd to younger folks. We may be set in our ways and do a task that has always been done by us that way. As a current Grandparent, I can learn new things and do tasks differently, however, I have been doing my tasks a lot longer that you young folks have, so cut me some slack, give me time to adapt. I really do want to stay current, but give me some time. We love our children and want to continue growing as we watch them grow.  One area of change involves technology, a wonderful part of our lives.  Cell phones have changed how we do life, how we communicate with family and friends.  Our cell phones are more like computers…in fact; t...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Hold Grandparents like to hold babies and children. Grandmothers generally get the babies and Grandfathers get the older ones. Just so you know, Grandfathers like to hold babies and are quite good at it. We know how to make a baby laugh as well as calm them. We also know how to change diapers but again, Grandmothers want to do that. Give Grandfathers the chance to hold and change babies, we really do want to help. Holding any child is not a bother. We love it!  This Grandpa held a baby at our church last night and fell in love again.  The little girl studied my face and was in deep thought, and then she remembered her Mother.  As an experienced Grandpa, I turned so she could see Mom and she was suddenly OK. We walked around the worship area, talked and smiled at each other for a brief time, and then Mom took her back for feeding. Since all of our Grandchildren live far away, these Grandparents appreciate the joy and privilege of holding yo...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Talk Grandparents like to talk to children. We have talked with and to children all of our lives and suddenly, no children are in the home. We want to encourage and build up children. We want to ask questions and give time for a reply. We want to hear what a child has to say, listen to those first rambling words and encourage the formation of new words. We will talk to children in Target, Walmart, and Safeway. We miss our own grandchildren and are willing to be grandparents to your children.