They say posts with kids and kittens get the most responses.
That’s because it’s easier to smile at laugh and kids and kittens when you’re not directly responsible for them.
I adore my grandkids. What grandparent doesn’t feel the same towards theirs? Yet mine exhaust me to the point of see-ya-later-maybe-much-later. Maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be, yet it does create a guilt trip in this bubble mind of mine.
I have been blessed in ways others have not. My GKs have always lived within an hour’s drive. I still talk to my son (although I sometimes think he think’s I AM the bubble head queen), and I love my daughter-in-law. It’s a win/win thing.
Yet when I get the kids overnight it’s like I’ve never moved or babysat in my life.
One is almost 6, and wants to run around outside, which is the best thing in the world for him. But he wants to cut vegetables, saw wood, drive the tractor, dig with the shovel — things way above his talent (and height). My husband encourages Mr. Little Farmer (it’s not a farm but we all call it that) in other directions (often with adult supervision), yet lets him sit on his lap in the tractor driver’s seat and drive down our long country driveway.
Yikes.
The baby, 8 months old, can’t tell me if he prefers cereal or puffs or spaghetti or a bottle. So I give them all to him between his crawling adventures. He’s no longer in the “hold me on your lap” phase — he’s more into the “put me on the floor!” state of demand. Off he goes, crawling over the dog, the cat, picking up weird things that hide under the chairs…crabbing one minute, laughing the next.
Somehow I don’t remember my kids being this pumped up.
Of course, that was 30 years ago. I was 30 years younger. (Ack!! Don’t say that!) My view of the world and my place in it, was much different. Back then I thought I could make a difference. That I could have it all — great job, great kids, a house out of Architectural Digest — all the things that motivate young people to work hard and study hard.
Now, at the age of 60+, I’m in the job I’m going to be in for the long run, and Wall Street it isn’t. Nor is my house the ones dreams are made of. Nor is my beat up 2005 Sable or 2004 KIA van. I have succeeded with the great kid part, but I am still learning to let them live their own lives, too.
My energy level has wandered away down some long forgotten path, too. I’m working on finding that path again — I figured if I want to live long enough to see my GKs get married, I’d better start walking those paths again soon.
Babysitting the kids fits that bill of exercise, too. Not wanting to look like the old, falling apart granny, I do my best to climb the hills, dig the holes, and ride the bikes. That, too, I believe, keeps the Reaper away.
But dang, kids — my pace and yours is not nor ever will be the same.
Maybe that’s a good thing — after all, if I had all that energy, what would be left for my own kids have to do?
Humoring the Goddess 
Your grandkids will remember every second with great fondness 🙂 Wonderful write!
LikeLike
My rough and tough and often pain in the touchee late father in law used to say, “I’ll sleep when Im dead.” He was always running around with my kids. Now I know what he meant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I relate! Our grandkids, at that early to preteen age especially, are joyful and exhausting simultaneously. But, treasure those precious years when they want to share that kind of time with you. Too soon they grow up and become absorbed in other interests! Then, when the visits are sparse, the memories are even more precious!
LikeLike