I’m Grateful To Be A Grandparent, Most of the Time

Summary

The author expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be an active and involved grandparent, cherishing the time spent with a high-energy granddaughter, while also acknowledging the exhaustion and appreciation for the return to personal space after the visit.

Abstract

The author is anticipating an overnight stay with their 3-year-old granddaughter, a bundle of energy they compare to a whirlwind. They reflect on the joy and fatigue that comes with caring for her, and how they uprooted their life to be closer to her, a decision echoed by many grandparents in the modern world. Despite the exhaustion, the author values the strong bond formed through physical presence and the ability to offer support and love, like picking her up when she falls or taking her to the nursery when her mother can't. The author is grateful for the role of a grandparent, recognizing it as a privilege that allows for love without the full responsibility of parenthood, and looks forward to both the time spent and the return to their own routine afterward.

Opinions

The author is grateful for the role of a grandparent, viewing it as a privilege and a joyful experience.
They acknowledge the high energy and mischievous nature of their granddaughter, which brings both delight and exhaustion.
The decision to move closer to family was driven by the desire to be more involved in their granddaughter's life, highlighting the importance of physical presence over virtual interactions.
The author values the deeper bond that develops from being able to provide hands-on care and support, such as comforting when sick or participating in play.
There is an appreciation for the balance between being a grandparent and having personal time, noting the difference between the responsibilities of grandparenting and parenting.
The author encourages readers to support their writing by joining Medium, indicating a commitment to and satisfaction from their work as a writer.

Day 3 prompt — What are you grateful for today?

My granddaughter full of mischievous energy — © image taken by author

Today, I am caring for my 3-year-old granddaughter overnight. She arrives shortly, so I am squeezing in this last piece of writing because once she arrives, I know I will not get the chance.

I’m looking forward to it, but I know that it will be full-on from the moment she enters the door.

She’s like a little whirlwind that never stops. I don’t remember my daughters having so much energy or perhaps I never noticed because I was younger and had more energy myself. But I’m always blissfully exhausted after she leaves.

Just before she was born, I moved my life and job across the country to live closer to her. Which explains why I look forward to spending as much one-to-one time with her as I can.

Many grandparents are choosing to make these lifestyle changes. As is the way of the world, adult children are taking up opportunities, scattering themselves further from the nest.

Even in this age of technology, such as regular Facetime calls, it just doesn’t cut it. It’s not the same as being able to give an actual cuddle. Living closer means that you develop a stronger bond with them too.

I wanted to be the gran who is there to pick her up when she falls.

Collect her from the nursery when she has a tummy ache and mummy is not able.

Take part in her pretend play as she sticks yet another plaster onto my forehead during her favorite game of doctors.

Yes, I am grateful to be a grandparent. I know it is a privilege, and I am thankful to have this experience.

But I also know that tomorrow when her mother arrives to collect her, I will be grateful that my life can carry on, as it was. I did my parenting, and now I get to enjoy grandparenting.

Love without all the responsibility.

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3rd September 2022

I’m Grateful To Be A Grandparent, Most of the Time

Day 3 prompt — What are you grateful for today?