It seems as if it were yesterday that my husband and I learned we were going to become grandparents.
Baby Rylan arrived in 2006, and nearly three years later, Baby Amelia made her entrance. They are now teenagers, and Papa and I cannot imagine our lives without them. Yes, being a grandparent is the best job on earth.
To that end, this issue of Louisiana Boomers is devoted to grandparents. Our generation of Boomers is the healthiest, liveliest, and most involved group of grandparents ever, and both kids and grandparents benefit from this unique relationship. In most cases, being a grandparent is better than being a parent because it’s all of the fun, and none of the responsibility.
As with our own kids, grandchildren don’t come with a set of instructions. The relationship, like others, is built on time spent together and evolves over time. Often it is the simple moments–a walk in the park, reading a book together, a board game played past bedtime–that help bond the generations. In this issue, we offer ideas on age-appropriate ways to spend time with grandchildren without breaking the bank. We’ll also explore the importance of family traditions–religious and family traditions–that are handed down from grandparent to parent to child and provide memories that last forever.
Being a grandparent also involves when to say “no,” not only to the little ones but to the adults. Boundary setting is difficult, but must be done so grandparents don’t feel burdened and parents know when to ask and what to expect. Setting healthy boundaries is tricky, and in this issue, you’ll learn how to do this without alienating family members.
Before Papa and I became grandparents, older friends often told us that, “being a grandparent is the only role that isn’t overrated.” It’s true. We have loved being grandparents and think our two grandkids are the most wonderful gift of our lives. They’ve added a lot of fun, entertainment, and soccer games to our senior years.
I’ve told many new grandparents that grandchildren open a chamber in your heart that you didn’t know was there. In time, that chamber fills with love that only a grandchild can fill. We are lucky to have these two great kids in our lives, and I bet if you are reading this and you are a grandparent, you feel the same way.