Grandparents are important!

I grew up in a joint family, and NO it was not a Suraj Barjatiya type joint family wherein we broke into songs at the drop of a hat or talk about ‘Batwara’ … Nope! Nothing of that sort! We grew up in a family wherein my cousin (my paternal uncle’s son) and I got enough love and scolding from our Grandparents throughout our childhood. 7 of us lived together – my grandparents, my mommy, my paternal uncle, aunt, my cousin and of course I. Unfortunately my Pa had passed away when I was a kid, else he would have fit like a glove to our family’s weirdness.

My Grandparents…

Our grandmother was the sweetest person ever. She told us stories of our fathers’ childhood and how they messed up even though my uncle pretended to be this perfect person and reprimanded us for our mistakes. She would watch our favorite shows and movies with us. She was our best friend and an absolute confidant.

While our grandfather was strict as an Army officer, even though he was never in the Army! He taught us English and made us do our homework under his ever vigilant long nose.

I loved reading ever since I could read. So one day my Grandpa returns home with a gift wrapped box and tells me it was a surprise. The young me was so elated that I bounced around the house screaming happy sounds and wanting to open the package. I imagined them to be the list of books I had given him that I wanted. Finally when I did open the box, I was aghast!!!!!!

He had gotten me all the versions of ‘Words are Important’. For those who have not encountered this book, it is a work book series which had about 10 words per page and we had to write the meaning of the word and form sentences with all its form (noun, verb, adjective, verb etc). Also in the box lay my very first Roget’s Thesaurus.  Boy!!!  Was I miffed about the gifts!!!

Even though I was resentful back then I am and will always be grateful to him for his constant guidance that he provided in terms of my education and general life.

I believe my life is much richer in experience and memories because of my grandparents. They were there for me when my mommy could not because she was a single working mother who had to chip in with the house work as well. The poor woman was always over worked and under slept.

With the trend of nuclear families nowadays, I do believe it is important that the kids spend some time with their grandparents and get to know them.

• They are the 2^nd closest thing after their parents.
• They usually have the time & and patience of inculcating traditional values in the kids.
• Children share a special bond with their grandparents.
• They provide a holistic approach of attending to the children by telling stories, doing art/crafts with them, making the kid’s favourite meal/sweet dish. Even their reprimands seem nice and children get into the groove better.
• Children get a break from the daily grind and they can let themselves lose with the grandparents.

However, we as parents need to remember that they are not maids; they are only here to help. They are choosing to help you; it is not their duty so you cannot force them into submission.

No matter what type of grandparent your child has whether a full-time grandparent, a step-grandparent, or a long distance grandparent living thousands of miles away, you can find new ways to strengthen family ties by letting them spend some time with each other on a regular basis.

Image courtesy – www.amazon.com www.manageseo.is-a-democrat.com