The Joy of Being a Grandmother

by Marcia Newkirk

I remember your true faith. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I know you now have that same faith. 2 Timothy 1:5 (NCV)

I will never forget the Thanksgiving morning my daughter-in-law handed me a package. I argued and said, We don’t exchange gifts on Thanksgiving. When I lifted a bib out of the pretty tissue bag and read the words on the bib, I screamed and cried. It said, I love my Grandma. My life eight years later has been so richly blessed by the lives of four grandchildren.

If you are anything like me, you simply adore your grandchildren and every moment with them is priceless. As a grandparent we have the joy of games and activities minus the responsibilities of car pools, vitamins, and bedtimes. Some grandparents assume a more daily care for grandchildren due to death, illness, divorce, or other circumstances. Even in those instances, I would encourage all grandmothers to stop and smell the roses with your grandchild.

One helpful tip of advice I believe is vital. Unless you are specifically asked, don’t offer advice to your children about their parenting. Give encouragement and praise freely, but unless your grandchild is in danger, don’t step in. Try to uphold the parents rules at your home as well. Children thrive on consistency and it will encourage respect for their parents if you also have the same standards.

Your life will be full of joy and peace if you let go of expectations early on. Life many times does not turn out exactly the way we anticipated it would. Enjoy each moment with your grandchild, but try not to push your agenda onto your children’s homes.

Create happy memories with your grandchild. Play board games, go outside and garden, go to the park, slow down, enjoy the simple things; most grandparents thrive on doing many different activities with their grandchildren. Share music, art, sports, and various activities as often as you can.

Make your home a safe place for your grandchild to visit. Be extra careful of things like medicines in your purse, cleaning products under your sink, breakables on the table, and many other things that provide danger to a young child. You cannot watch a child every moment, so take the time to put away objects that might hurt your grandchild.

If your grandchild lives in a different city, as many do now, don’t give up on having an intimate relationship. With today’s technology, you can read a book, share a picture, sing songs, and play a game on line. Ask your children to help you stay connected by calling, emailing, skyping, sharing pictures and videos, or even sending snail mail. You may have to work a little harder at it, but miles should never truly separate the love of a grandmother for her grandchild.

But be careful! Watch out and don’t forget the things you have seen. Don’t forget them as long as you live, but teach them to your children and grandchildren. Deuteronomy 4:9 (NCV)

Use any opportunity you are given to share the goodness of the Lord with your grandchild. Talk about how good and faithful God is when you are exploring nature. Pray for firemen when a fire truck goes by. Give water and a granola bar to a homeless person on the street corner. Take cookies with your grandchild to a neighbor who is hurting. Visit a nursing home or shut in with your grandchild. Let your grandchild see you pray and minister to others.

Get to know your grandchildren individually. God created each of us with very different personalities. Spend time listening, truly listening to your grandchildren. Pray often for your grandchild. Thank God for the privilege of being a grandparent.

If you are a parent reading through these tips, let me encourage you to share your child with their grandparent. Unless there is a good reason to keep them away, allow your child the benefit of being around Grandma. The depth of this relationship will be healthy for you and for your child. Let them enjoy life through the eyes of a woman who has already lived through toddler years, school age children, teenagers, and now adult children. A grandmother’s perspective on life can be calming and fulfilling for all in your family.

But the Lord’s love for those who respect him continues forever and ever, and his goodness continues to their grandchildren. Psalm 103:17 (NCV)

{Marcia Newkirk has been blessed to be married to her best friend (Pastor Dennis Newkirk) for the past 41 years. They have 3 grown sons each with a precious wife, and 4 perfect grandchildren! She loves to study God’s Word, read, work in the garden, walk/run, and loves sharing her time with her church family. She enjoys hospital visits, homebound visits, and any encouragement she can give to others. She is an R.N. who seeks to use her gifts and passion to encourage and bless her church family. Marcia teaches the Personal Spiritual Growth Skill Session in the updated Keepers DVD set.}