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I Wanted To Be a Fun Grandmother
I had to change my idea about what that looks like
Children hear moon songs in their dreams & if you are lucky, they will sit beside you & help you hear them again for yourself. — Kai Skye
I did not grow up with fun grandmothers. I thought I would change that for my own grandchildren and make up games and do projects and enter their make-believe for hours on end. I thought I would be their favorite playmate.
The one thing I forgot to factor in is my inability to endlessly engage. I am not that grandmother because I do not have the ability to play tirelessly with little people. I need breaks from their intensity, noise, and frenetic energy. As much as I love them, they wear me out.
I have eight grandchildren and another on the way. They are all under the age of seven. When they are all together it is utter chaos. Their parents are caught up in rounds of diaper changes, fight mediation, peanut butter sandwiches, and cleaning up spilled milk. My husband and I sit on the sidelines watching the circus and find ourselves wanting to hide out in the bedroom.
When we have them one or two at a time it is much better for us. We are both introverts with sensitive nervous systems who are easily overwhelmed by too much activity and noise. Not a good combination for…
