Last Wednesday I posted this on my Facebook page. And I’m posting it here so I remember how I felt the day we buried my Grandma and the thoughts I had…
‘We said our final goodbye at Grandma’s burial. It’s a very sad and different feeling leaving MN. My roots are gone, but my heart will always be here ♥️ I’m proud of the person I’ve become because of where I came from. I only hope to continue to smile as bright as my Grandpa, love my family fiercely, and do everything with a grateful and joyful heart just as he did. I hope to stop and smell the roses or watch the birds. Keep my body moving, be a spitfire in this life, take care of myself and speak up for myself just as she always encouraged me to do, and at the end of the day, remember to pray for my family individually…just as Grandma did. Until we meet again…✝️’
My advice for all the Grandparents out there, or future Grandparents is this…Don’t spoil your Grandchildren with things. That’s not what they’ll remember.
If you’re able, bring them on little trips. Individually. To have quality 1 on 1 time with just them. Or if you can’t do a little trip, have them visit by themself over the summer. And don’t wait too long. They’ll be grown, and so will you, before you know it, and the time available will be limited.
Don’t always focus on what they like. Do things YOU like and get them involved. Whether it’s gardening, hunting, berry picking, fishing, cooking, watching the birds eat from your bird feeder…do those things. And do them often.
Write notes. It doesn’t have to be on a fancy card. Find something random around your house, and write a letter. Write a letter of excitement, encouragement, support…or disapproval and disappointment if that’s what’s needed. I guarantee you, your words will mean more than anyone else’s at that very moment. But write it in your handwriting.
Spoil them with your time. Your time is limited compared to their long life ahead of them, God willing. Take time to bring them on a walk. Talk about their day…or school year. Just take the time to talk to them.
Be an influencer. Our kids’ generation needs good and strong influencers. Not IG and FB worthy influencers. But REAL people with strong morals and values to pass down to your Grandchildren. They may be young and it may not be ‘cool,’ but I promise you, they will remember. They will be adults one day, and what you choose to instill in their lives now, will affect them. Forever.
Take pictures with them. If you have multiple grandchildren in one family, take individual shots with just them. Not all of their siblings. Technology these days makes that a lot easier. Candid ones are so much better then posed.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking electronics is what they only like. Tell them to put their phone or iPad down and you too, should put your electronics down. Play games with them. Put puzzles together. Read with them. Even do work together! I was blessed with growing up in a era where my Grandparents only had TV. All they made time for was some News, Jeopardy, or Wheel of Fortune. The rest of the time we were busy…or allowed to be bored! My Grandpa had my brothers doing yard work. Lots of yard work. They’d always find something that needed fixing. Both my brothers are hard workers to this day. (I know my parents had something to do with that as well). When my brothers, who are twins, turned 16, my Grandpa passed down his brown Ford truck to them. It was a stick shift and needed some TLC, but it worked. He wrote instructions for them on how to take care of it. They loved that truck. And I’m pretty sure they loved it more because of where it came from.
Create lasting memories. Someday that’s all they’ll have. And I guarantee you. They’ll be so thankful for the memories YOU took the time to create with them.
~xoxo
Living With Intention and Giving Myself Grace 