I love being a grandmother. Do I love getting older? Absolutely not - but apparently there's not a lot of choice.
There's no choice either about whether or not you become a grandmother. A number of my friends and acquaintances, who are 9+ years older than myself, are still waiting. My aunt was in her seventies before becoming a doting nana, where as her sister (my mum) became a great grandmother before turning 80. I'm actually a little smug about becoming a youngish granny at 54 - I can still play chasey and lay on the floor to play games (just give me a minute to get up).
What's my point?
There was an media article a few weeks ago where a doctor suggested that it was selfish for women delay having children. They were setting there children up to have to look after them as aged parents when the children hit their 20s.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/lifestyle/article/-/10397546/too-old-for-a-baby
What was really interesting about the article was the poor questioning by journalists (at least from what I saw). While the good doctor referred to the fact that the children would, in their 20s, have quite old parents seemed to be lost in translation. Women in their late 30s and well into their 40s proclaimed that it was a matter of choice and they still felt fit and wonderful . Terrific, and so they should. There were a few points missing from the interviews, particularly questions about 20-30 years into the future!
Also missing was a mention of the grandmothers to these young children. If the mum's are pushing 40 and 50 then the grandparents are likely to be well past taking the kids for runs in the park let alone for the school holidays. Children to older mum's might miss out on the fabulous learning and interaction with grandparents. Family history, stories of time before mobile phones and more will not be part of their lives. Certainly the grandmothers are unlikely to be able to attend the 21st birthdays of their grandchildren.
Having children to a plan doesn't always pan out. Having grandchildren to a plan is just plain wishful thinking.
While a bit tacky, below are some links to grandmothers who seem to be coping quite well.
http://www.complex.com/girls/2009/12/the-10-hottest-celebrity-grandmothers
http://grandparents.about.com/od/grandparentingtoday/tp/Find-Out-About-Celebrity-Grandmothers.htm
Nana Lizzie
www.worldsbestgrandmother.com.au
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Monday, 24 October 2011
Diplomatic Immunity
If you believe the advertising industry becoming a mother assumes an enormous number of roles - nurse, educator, negotiator and more. In truth motherhood is a trial and error work experience program which, just as you think you understand the job, you are transferred you without notice to a new department where the old job description no longer applies. Where the client no longer 'likes' what you have on offer and the simple idea that mother knows best does not achieve the desired KPIs.
Grandmotherhood on the other hand is often a little smug, possibly interferring, patronising and can attempt to impose 'outdated' work experience on an uncooperative and disinterested offspring - a little like the UN, useful when things get out of hand but rarely welcome on a day-to-day basis.
The grandmother is the diplomat of the UF (United Families). Not necessarily a good representative but the post can have its perks if carried out with the appropriate degree of restraint.
For example - nod sagely in agreement when told that having children is 'different' to the dark ages (your time) and wait for the phone call for help when no book or internet site tell the Parent that during the first 6 weeks baby does noting exciting or fun. Don't scoff the on-line advice for breast feeding which says find a quiet restful place and read a book offers no explanation on what to do with the 2 year old who is demanding to play superman and for whom naps are for babies - run on over and play nana for a while (with dignity of course). :)
What part of being a grandmother to you enjoy the most?
Nana Lizzie
www.worldsbestgrandmother.com.au
Grandmotherhood on the other hand is often a little smug, possibly interferring, patronising and can attempt to impose 'outdated' work experience on an uncooperative and disinterested offspring - a little like the UN, useful when things get out of hand but rarely welcome on a day-to-day basis.
The grandmother is the diplomat of the UF (United Families). Not necessarily a good representative but the post can have its perks if carried out with the appropriate degree of restraint.
For example - nod sagely in agreement when told that having children is 'different' to the dark ages (your time) and wait for the phone call for help when no book or internet site tell the Parent that during the first 6 weeks baby does noting exciting or fun. Don't scoff the on-line advice for breast feeding which says find a quiet restful place and read a book offers no explanation on what to do with the 2 year old who is demanding to play superman and for whom naps are for babies - run on over and play nana for a while (with dignity of course). :)
What part of being a grandmother to you enjoy the most?
Nana Lizzie
www.worldsbestgrandmother.com.au
Sunday, 23 October 2011
And suddenly there were five!
I am not sure how it happened.
Not that long ago my hubby and I sold the suburb home for a small apartment in an eclectic inner city area. We had cut the umbilical cord with the 2 kids some years ago. Even the bungy connections were very rarely used. Anything remotely connected to young children long since sent to the 'mission'. The plan was to enjoy entertaining friends, going to the theatre and dining on a whim and to randomly leave medications, knives and breakables anywhere in the house with careless abandon.
The housework now took less time than it took to cook a roast and the new furniture retained its showroom appearance. Windows and walls remained clean and sparkling without a chance of sticky finger prints about 24 inches above the floor line.
We were bored.
Is this it? Where's the noise? Where are the hugs, the cheeky comments and the laughter? The room full of presents at Christmas? We needed children back in our lives.
Actually, I had begun to consider that I might never be a grandmother. One child overseas for 6 months - which turned into 4 years - and another hell bent on having a great time without paying for an overseas air fare to do it.
Not that becoming a grandmother was my entire focus. I continue to work full-time - trying to change my little corner of the world one meeting at a time.
Now, somehow during the last 2 and three quarter years I have become grandmother to FIVE. What the?
Am I happy about this? Absolutely!
Am I cheesed off that the perception of grandmothers is one of grey hair, poor hearing, a cane and an inability to learn anything new (not that there is anything wrong with that) – too right I am! Not only do I have children to spoil again but I have a mission (or two). To work hard at becoming the World's Best Grandmother for my grandkids and increase the profile of grandmothers and grandfathers everywhere.
Join me On Being a Grandmother as I share my journey and experiences in to the somewhat invisible world of grand-parenting (while at the same time trying to start a business or two on the side).
Nana Lizzie
www.worldsbestgrandmother.com.au
Not that long ago my hubby and I sold the suburb home for a small apartment in an eclectic inner city area. We had cut the umbilical cord with the 2 kids some years ago. Even the bungy connections were very rarely used. Anything remotely connected to young children long since sent to the 'mission'. The plan was to enjoy entertaining friends, going to the theatre and dining on a whim and to randomly leave medications, knives and breakables anywhere in the house with careless abandon.
The housework now took less time than it took to cook a roast and the new furniture retained its showroom appearance. Windows and walls remained clean and sparkling without a chance of sticky finger prints about 24 inches above the floor line.
We were bored.
Is this it? Where's the noise? Where are the hugs, the cheeky comments and the laughter? The room full of presents at Christmas? We needed children back in our lives.
Actually, I had begun to consider that I might never be a grandmother. One child overseas for 6 months - which turned into 4 years - and another hell bent on having a great time without paying for an overseas air fare to do it.
Not that becoming a grandmother was my entire focus. I continue to work full-time - trying to change my little corner of the world one meeting at a time.
Now, somehow during the last 2 and three quarter years I have become grandmother to FIVE. What the?
Am I happy about this? Absolutely!
Am I cheesed off that the perception of grandmothers is one of grey hair, poor hearing, a cane and an inability to learn anything new (not that there is anything wrong with that) – too right I am! Not only do I have children to spoil again but I have a mission (or two). To work hard at becoming the World's Best Grandmother for my grandkids and increase the profile of grandmothers and grandfathers everywhere.
Join me On Being a Grandmother as I share my journey and experiences in to the somewhat invisible world of grand-parenting (while at the same time trying to start a business or two on the side).
Nana Lizzie
www.worldsbestgrandmother.com.au
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