Did you ever wonder why women in the old days had their babies at a very young age?
I confess I never really gave it much thought until I became a grandmother.
At forty-eight, I thought I was in pretty good shape. I mean, I have a daily rountine of walking and I try to take care of myself.
But as it turns out, I’ve been living under a delusion. My daily workout is nothing compared to the one I get trying to keep up with a twenty-one month old toddler who loves to take her grandmother on LONG walks peppered with multiple stops along the way to bend and squat. Oh and don’t forget those floor exercises. You know, horse back rides and crawling on the floor, then there’s the hours spent building towers of blocks only to tear them down again and again. And Again.
And then there’s the late night cram sessions. You know when my precious baby girl wakes up at 2AM full of giggles and needs grandma to watch the Backyardigans with her and carry her on her hip so that she can go back to sleep.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade a second of my wonderful time with her, but I can say that it was during one of these late-night sessions that I had an epiphany.
I now understand why God intended children for the young and why grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandbabies and then when they are pooped send them home to mom and dad so that grandma can take a nap.
All the best…
Mary Eason
www.maryeason.bravehost.com
Ironically, my parents didn’t have kids until they were somewhat older. My mom was in her early 30s and my dad his early 40s. They often said that, especially with my sister who has Asperger’s, it was a good thing that they waited because they had much more patience with us than they would’ve if they’d been younger. Given how much my sister and I tried said patience, that’s probably a good thing. <G>
I do believe that my mother in law would agree with you, have a wonderful weekend
Oh, I think God intended for us to have children (as parents) whenever we have the desire coupled with the ability, be it 28 or 48. Like Nonny mentioned, there are wonderful advantages to waiting until the 30s and 40s and even beyond. Grandmas can indulge a child with watching Backyardigans in the middle of the night, but parents had better encourage her natural ability to sleep well instead or they’ll be in a world of hurt!
I thank God for grandparents who do the traditional grandparenting, but also those precious ones who step in to raise their grandchildren full time when the parents are unable to for whatever reason. It is a challenging road they’ve selflessly chosen and they deserve all the love and support we can give them.
Nonny and Kimber, I think lots of couples have children later in life. In fact my mom was 38 when she and my dad had me.
As for traditional grandparenting, I think that’s been redefined as well. I should know, my husband and I watch our granddaughter for our children several times during the week and she is a delight.
I apologize if someone took offense to the post. That wasn’t my intention.
All the best…
Mary Eason
I completely agree with you Mary.
I am 65 years old ahd have 2 grandsons, age 2 1/2 and 16 months.