“Mimi.” “Nana.” “Nanny.” “GG.” “G-Ma.” All names for Grandma. Whether you have a favorite because your little ones have multiple grandmothers and you want to minimize their confusion or simply because the term “grandma” sounds too much like someone from an old sitcom, the essence remains the same: you are not the parent.
And that’s a relief! Parenting is a demanding journey, filled with the challenge of guiding a young person for 18 years into becoming a well-adjusted and responsible adult. Grandparenting, on the other hand, is much more relaxed. We don’t bear the responsibility of shaping the future; we’re here for the joy.
When reflecting on the lessons we aim to impart to our little ones, it’s amusing to note the delightful contrasts between parenting and grandparenting.
- Table Manners
Parents: “Sit up straight at the table and use a napkin.”
Grandma: “Let’s throw a towel on the floor and have a picnic!” - Nutrition
Parents: “No dessert until you finish your broccoli.”
Grandma: “Broccoli is gross. Here, have a cookie instead.” - Dating
Parents: “What kind of family does he come from?”
Grandma: “Every girl has a crush on a bad boy once. Ask your mom about her boyfriend from back in the day.” - Weekends
Parents: “Clean your room and rake the leaves.”
Grandma: “It’s Saturday! Popcorn in your pajamas while we watch Frozen—let’s do it all day!” - Financial Planning
Parents: “If you want those $120 sneakers, save your allowance.”
Grandma: “What size do you wear? Here you go!” - Honesty
Parents: “Always tell the truth, no matter what.”
Grandma: (After accidentally bumping into the neighbor’s mailbox) “Here’s five bucks. If anyone asks, this never happened, okay?” - Saving Money
Parents: “You need a haircut; go grab the scissors.”
Grandma: “Let me book an appointment with my hairdresser, and we can grab lunch afterward.” - Clothes
Parents: “That outfit looks silly; go change.”
Grandma: “As long as I can’t see your underwear or belly button ring, you’re good. Ask your mom about her ‘short-alls’—she wore those all the time!” - Sportsmanship
Parents: “It’s about how you handle losing.”
Grandma: “That’s unfair! Show me who cheated, and I’ll go talk to them in my stilettos!” - Perseverance
Parents: “You can’t quit piano lessons; we paid for them.”
Grandma: “You tried it and didn’t like it. Let’s find something you enjoy more!” - Housekeeping
Parents: “Clean your room before you go out.”
Grandma: “Just bring me any dishes from under your bed, and keep the door shut. The housekeeper doesn’t come until Tuesday!” - Homework
Parents: “You need to figure this out on your own.”
Grandma: “Just put a comma here and a period there. Now, let’s order pizza!” - DIY
Parents: “Let’s see what we can make for your fairy princess costume.”
Grandma: “There’s an amazing costume shop downtown. We can grab that overpriced outfit before any competition shows up!” - Obedience
Parents: “We’re disappointed in you for disobeying.”
Grandma: “I don’t care what you did; to me, you’re perfect!”
In summary, aging does come with its perks. We have grandchildren to adore without the nagging worry that everything we do will have lifelong impacts. We can relax and trust that, in the end, they will grow up to be wonderful individuals. I may not be “Mimi” or “Nana”—for me, I’m just Grandma.
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