After the seemingly never-ending years of diapers, disciplining, teaching, counseling, handing over car keys, and planning weddings for three daughters, suddenly Roger and I were thrust into a new and unfamiliar role as grandparents. In a quandary over our competency,we wondered, Are we ready to step into this role and fill the shoes of grandparents?
A new world was opening before us. As young and inexperienced grandparents, we could not help but wonder, Where do we begin? How do we nurture a meaningful and personal relationship with a grandchild?
Roger's and I had little experience with our own grandparents but we were motivated to do this grandparenting thing well. Roger's grandparents were completely absent. I had four grandparents, but only one that I really liked, my "Ginnah", short for grand mother. She was involved in my life. She baby sat, read me books, played games with me. I felt she really liked me. I wanted to be more like my "Ginnah" to our grandchildren. I could start there.
Like Roger, our own three daughters unfortunately did not experienced much grandparent involvement either. His parents lived in Florida and mine in New England. Our girls only saw them when we made the effort to visit them. In the 1960's there wasn't much for communication like the cell phone. email, or face time. Today it is different with our great grand children.
No one can grandparent your grandchild better than you. God designed you exactly for your family. Your grandchildren need to know you and to be accepted for who they are. Parents do a great job, but grandparents reinforce their love.
Becoming a grandparent has been a most rewarding experience in our marriage. It has been amazing how much we are still learning from them. You don't want to miss it. You can be a wonderful grandparent, too. God has created you for this role.
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