Many grandparents today are unable to participate in their grandchildren's lives because they are caregiving for great grandparents. So many things I wanted to do with my grandkids I can't. Things like take them to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, going camping, hiking in the mountains, going to their school programs etc. These are lost years with my grandkids. Soon they'll be off and involved with their own friends and interests. Some may say the kids are gaining, they have both their great grandma and grandma alive and can learn so much from them. I say hogwash to that. Their great grandma doesn't know their names or who they are and all they see of their grandma is someone who can't have any fun or go anywhere because she's taking care of great grandma. Another reason I will not have my son taking me into his home when I am old. I want him to be able to enjoy his grandchildren. To form meaningful relationships with them. Time goes by too fast with kids and when it's gone it's gone forever!
Long ago, I was visiting with Pedi and she mentioned how important big, close families are. Especially grandparents. That was something I missed, tho I did have a close family. I remember when my granddaughter would sit and chat about her cloths, or what her thoughts on life were, and I just listened and always pointed her back to God. Now, our family isn't very close anymore. I miss those talks much and wish I could have some time with the older ones and maybe teach them something they would remember came from "Nana". I taught the oldest how to stand for pictures. She liked that and I told her we would practice more on etiquette another time. When, I don't know. I feel cheated out of something that is so precious in life. I would love to talk and to resolve anything. But this is a normal situation in the issues that we deal with in health. I try to keep my mind else where, but it works both ways. It may be good for the kids, but it is also every good for the grandparents! CT
I never had the luxury of knowing either set of grandparents that well because we lived too far away. I always envied those who had relatives who lived in the same city..... those weekly family dinners, and the fun they had on holidays.
My significant other has two grade-school aged grandchildren who live out of State, he only gets to visit maybe twice a year, and the visits aren't always that good because his daughter has her own agenda. I haven't seen the children in over 5 years because of dealing with my own aging parents.
Now a days, some grandparents are starting to feel the younger generation think they are their own personal ATM machines :(
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The Importance of Grandparents
Some may say the kids are gaining, they have both their great grandma and grandma alive and can learn so much from them. I say hogwash to that. Their great grandma doesn't know their names or who they are and all they see of their grandma is someone who can't have any fun or go anywhere because she's taking care of great grandma.
Another reason I will not have my son taking me into his home when I am old. I want him to be able to enjoy his grandchildren. To form meaningful relationships with them. Time goes by too fast with kids and when it's gone it's gone forever!
My significant other has two grade-school aged grandchildren who live out of State, he only gets to visit maybe twice a year, and the visits aren't always that good because his daughter has her own agenda. I haven't seen the children in over 5 years because of dealing with my own aging parents.
Now a days, some grandparents are starting to feel the younger generation think they are their own personal ATM machines :(