The birth of new grandparents

New grandparents are just as excited as new parents when a baby is born. Especially the first one! Not to take it away from any of the other grandchildren that follow, but there is something special about the “firsts” of anything.

 

There are many things that are great about being a new grandparent. I have heard many parents who have become grandparents say "If I knew being a grandparent was this much fun, I would have done it first".

 

Grandparents get to do it all again. You get to have fun of children all over again, without all of the hard work. All of that parental responsibility rests with your children, it is not yours now. Grandparents can play and be silly and be ok with it because grandchildren are the perfect excuse.

 

All parents reflect on their experiences and would like to change a thing or two. Anything that you would have liked to do differently you may be able to get that chance with your grandkids. For some it’s not being so strict with food or enjoying messy play. For others it’s playing more and worrying about housework less. And for others it’s about having the expensive icecream and not the budget one. Grandparents get to enjoy all the fun and wonder of grandkids and hand them back at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep.  This is perhaps the biggest bonus for most grandparents that I hear most often. A good night’s sleep is bliss.

 

New grandparents get to remember and relive life through the eyes of little ones when the world is wondrous, new and so exciting. Grandparents are often at a stage when they have the time to also appreciate the wonder of a caterpillar having so many legs. Of taking time to spend looking at one spider web because they don’t have to rush to work.  Even if you are a grandparent who does have to rush to work, prioritising ‘slow time’ with your grandchildren will be priceless. Taking time for those little things helps to be mindful, be present, and also to appreciate all the big  things in our lives.

 

One of the greatest gifts of being a grandparent is that there is a little person who loves you just as you are. A little person has complete acceptance of you as the person you are when they know that you are accepting of him or her just as they are. Being a friend gives great rewards.  The trust that comes is priceless and builds a strong relationship that lasts. When you are a true friend, you will be given opportunities to share all that wisdom you have inside of you.

 

New grandparents have all this in front of them to enjoy.