Retired Reflections

Grandchildren

I am spending 7 days with the two grandchildren - ages 5 and 2 and a half - while our son and his wife take a much needed vacation. The weather is not real good but probably milder than usual at this time of year in Minnesota. We have gotten out each day to swing and chase leaves and maybe tomorrow will get to the park.

The children's other grandmother lives near here but has never babysat. It is something she has made clear she wants no part of. Like us, these are her only grandchildren. It is perhaps ok as I know, even though she is healthy and the same age as I am, she would have a hard time with them and her patience would leave very quickly. She has not even called while I'm here - that is something I can't understand at all.

I never thought of kids when I first got married. I never even had dolls when I was little. But when they came, I was eager. I loved interacting with them and still enjoy volunteering where I can spend one on one time with children. To me taking care of these grandchildren (especially without the parents around) is a real treat.

Here we have done crafts, made cookies, watch birds and read. We read about the Nutcracker Ballet and then on our one outing to Target we saw some of the characters on display for Christmas. I also read Pinnochio which I worried would be scary - some of these old stories seem so much worse than I remember. But the Little Golden Book edition is condensed enough that it worked out fine. Another delightful book I brought is Caleb and Kate by William Steig. I had not read it beforehand but it turned out to be excellent.

posted by Mary @ 4:39 PM