I really don’t think anyone really knows what it’s like to become a grandparent for the first time until they is it so a. Listening to other new and recent grandparents talk about their experiences always seemed a bit irrelevant to me at the time. Initially I thought all the talk about how amazing it was to them was frankly a bit of a stretch… that was until… yeah… it was my turn.
My only daughter is the light of my life. When she was born, she was unsteady in the delivery room and I cut the umbilical cord that separated her from her mother. My life completely changed at that moment. Since then, I have always tried to be involved in her life by giving her love and guidance.
Almost 9 years ago, my daughter gave birth to my first grandchild… a beautiful girl then and now. I was not prepared for the feelings I had when I first saw her, and how those feelings grew over the next few years.
I’ve heard other people say that the best part of being a grandparent is “pampering the kid and then giving it back.” Well, that may be somewhat true because you don’t have to deal with many of the difficult issues of parenting, however, now I know that when my granddaughter is in pain…I hurt, and when she is happy…I am happy. It’s really no different, from a feeling point of view, than it was with me daughter.
Approximately 7 months ago (ironically on my birthday) my wonderful daughter blessed me with another grandchild… this time… a sweet boy. What can I say? wow! What a bless! It still amazes me how wonderful being a grandfather can be.
Preparing for a new baby is a job for new parents and, depending on the grandparents’ involvement, it can be for them as well. Baby showers are great for getting plenty of essentials for the next arrival, however, in my experience, the grandparents may need to fill in some of the gaps.
As grandparents-to-be, we can help paint and furnish the baby’s room. I remember, before the arrival of my first grandchild, focusing on the comfort of my daughters getting up in the middle of the night. So I bought her a rocker with an ottoman to rock the baby while she fed him. It was clear to me that knowing my daughter’s needs was just as important as the new baby’s needs.
So the best advice I can offer is to become as involved in your grandchild’s life as possible. Respect the wishes of your grandchild’s parents. Provide a friendly guide if she is requested. And most of all… love them with all your heart and soul. With God’s blessings you can’t go wrong.