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How to Be Grandparents in the 21st Century
As if the stress of raising kids
in today's hustle-bustle world isn't enough, with both
of you working and the price of everything going through
the roof; let's add to your family situation a couple
of well-intentioned, "experienced" child-rearing
experts. I mean, after all, look at the fine job we
did raising you.
For the purpose of this article, let's assume that you
haven't, at least not yet, taken the easy way out and
moved across the country---far away from "Grandma
and Grandpa", "Grams and Gramps", or
whatever pet names you have assigned us.
No, imagine that you are the fortunate
ones who have these virtual "fonts of child-rearing
knowledge" living right next door---literally or
figuratively.
Quick, easy baby sitting service, right?
Right! You've probably already discovered that nothing
is ever "quick and easy" when "G......and
G......" are involved.
Thanks to modern medicine and the AARP
(Association for the Advancement or Retired People),
G and G are probably nearly as busy as you are. The
truth of the matter is that you will probably find yourselves
called upon to house and pet sit on an all-too-regular
basis, as these two aged adventurers depart on one project
after the other. There are, after all, cruises to be
taken, many old friends to be visited, and plenty of
beaches to be walked hand-in-hand at sunset/sunrise.
True, we weren't there for you as much
as we would have liked during your formative years;
but, please remember, we weren't there for ourselves
much either. We somehow managed to shuffle careers with
baseball and cheer-leading practice; housework with
PTA meetings; sleep with sleep-overs and birthday parties.
You know the drill. You're living it right now.
Forgive us please if we sometimes seem
a bit jealous of our time. Do you remember all of the
things we predicted that you would understand when you
grew up and had your own family? Trust us on this one
too then, when we say that you will also, someday, understand
where we are right now. That understanding will come
all too soon.
Right now, you assume as we did, that
you have years and years to go.
Do you remember the day you were born?
How about the day you finished high school, then college?
Can you remember three days BEFORE your wedding? You
remember some; but, we remember it ALL. And do you know
what? From our current perspective, it all happened
in an instant.
And now, for most of us, that "instant"
contains over 50 years of change. Remember also, that
many of us are "old hippies" at heart; and,
Viagra not withstanding, many of us still retain that
mindset. We were the "Make Love, Not War"
generation-----something you have only read about in
your history books; along with Vietnam, the Cold War,
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, "......A giant step for
mankind", Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy,
Sputnik and CHALLENGER; and a host of other mind-boggling,
life-altering, belief-challenging experiences.
We know that we're not unique. Each
generation somehow survives its "defining moments".
Our parents had World War Two and "the bomb".
Their parents had World War One and The Great Depression.
You've already had Iran and Iraq, Y2K,
and September 11th; and you are living in a world that
has changed forever.
You'll survive; our grandkids will survive
and thrive, as will their children. We just want you
to know how blessed we feel to be able to continue sharing
in this adventure.
Please bear with us if we don't always
fit the traditional "G....and G...." stereotype.
It's a brand new century for all of us.
Bear with us also if we seem to think
that we have imperfect children.....and perfect grandchildren.
You can take some comfort from the fact that our parents
held the very same thought. Something else that you
will understand.......all too soon.
Thanks so much to all of you; for being
you.....and of our life.
1howto.com
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