Advice from a HIP Grandmother
Honestly, being a Grandma was something I was not ready for. Maybe because my only daughter waited until she was in her 30’s to conceive and most of my girlfriends already were Grandmothers. I just thought it was never going to happen for me. Maybe because the term “Grandma” meant old and wrinkly. When it finally happened, it didn’t become real until I held my Grandaughter for the first time and even then it was unbelievable. Because of demographics and timing, I was unable to be present for the birth of my grandaughter, which was a BIG disappointment, but the video of the birth brought all the same emotions (tears of joy) I would have expressed had I been there for the event.
If I can give any advice to new Grandparents after the new arrival has come into your child’s life, be supportive and keep your advice to a minimum. New parents nowadays have already researched and decided how they will raise their child. Being a new parent is a confusing and nervous time. Even with all the information available out there, they sure don’t need anyone standing over them with suggestions that will only confuse them and make them uncomfortable or ill at ease. They will follow their gut feelings anyway. If you have done YOUR job raising responsible, loving children, you can be sure your child will do the same. You may even hear the new parents repeating the same things to their child that you used to say to them. That should be rewarding enough to keep your suggestions to a minimum. (wink, wink). Happy Grand-Parenting!
 
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