Being a Grandma?!?

Robyn

New member
We have learned that my middle son Carlin and his wife are going to have a baby. It is due in April, on my oldest son's birthday.

Not sure if I am ready for this. I mean, Jim has 3 grand daughters and I happily shop for them and with them and I like to be the token grandma....but, this one will really be mine!!

:tequila:
 

ina/puusty

New member
Sounds wonderful to me..and best you start laying-in..various family history as to cultural heritages..some recipes from various and sundry, a visit to antique stores/thrift shops..for some old cookie cutters, books on history from 'the heritage' areas, mapping-out..the many genetic traits as to music/languages/creativity/mechanical adeptness/mathmatics, so as to make the proud parents aware of the rich feed of qualities to be alert to..soonest :)..so much to do..before baby arrives! :) ina n HB n Kesa
 

Robyn

New member
I have a cedar trunk that my dad made years ago. I am putting things in it that were Carlin's when he was little. Also putting a trick or treat bag that I made for Carlin years ago, and I am working on a Christmas stocking as well. Love the idea of the cookie cutters and books. We have a local author who writes books about this area and the people that settled it. My great greats are in the book. An autographed copy of these books would be a cool addition.
 
The best thing you can do is show your son and daughter-in-law how excited you are getting, even if you are nervous or surprised.

That is one thing I have always adored about my in-laws, they have always been so excited when we announced a new baby. I was really nervous with baby #3 and even moreso with #4, but they have always been so excited and have always loved all 4 of my kids with a love that only a grandparent can give.

My mom's first reaction to her first grandchild, my first baby, was; "Can you afford it?". NO, who can? She wasn't mad, just caught off guard and wasn't really ready to be a grandma. She is a wonderful grandma today, and she became excited about the baby the closer the due date came.
 

Windancer

New member
Robyn, you will love it ! Grandchildren are more fun ! They will be tickled pink every time they see you, and want to come to your house.. I hope they live close. I felt the same as you when I had my first. (now 23) I sure didn't want to be called 'granny'.....so someone suggested Nana, and that is what I have been ever since. My baby daughter is having her first in Jan. and the whole family is excited. We all ready met her thru 3D colored ultrasound..! amazing ! ( You can't convince me fetuses aren't alive) The family on both sides is very big on heritage..The father, a great guy, has researched his Native American ancestry as much as he can..(They refused to sign the rolls, so alot is lost) Have fun Robyn...! Julie
 

luvxl k 9

New member
Believe me Robyn when I say that grandchildren are God's gifts for not killing your children when they were younger. (Especially teen-agers) I turned 50 this year and we are expecting our 8th grandchild the end of May. Plus they all live close by, (or in the case of Cody and Carrie in the same house). LOL
 

dblsr

New member
I would love to spoil my grandkids, but my daughter and her husband have just about diss-owned us, and won't come over, because of our two awesome kid loving Newfies. Their loss, but it breaks my heart :cry:. My other grandkids live in California, so we don't see them often enough, but when we do it's great. They are little treasures. Enjoy yours.
 

Windancer

New member
dblsr.....how Awfull.....! I don't know what I would do.....when the kids get older they will probably love the newfs and want one...maybe even have one....Oh, there is a GOD !!
 

NinaA

New member
Grandchildren are absolutely great. Thought I was never going to get there, but now my youngest is producing them like a good Catholic. Number three is due in May. That will be three in 4-1/2 years. Good grief. Can that be right? My oldest will be 3 in February. Number two will be two in June. Can't wait for the oldest boy to produce. They are so much fun. We can do all sorts of silly, spoiled rotten things, and then I send them home. Just wait until the first time you are called Grandma, Mamaw, Gran, whatever. First thing you have to do is pick a name for yourself. Then you have to start buying stuff. All sorts of cool stuff. The more excited you get, the better the experience will be for everyone. And, these days you can be right there for the whole thing. We had a pizza party last time. Plus, you get to do the Dizney thing again, the toy buying thing, etc. I just can't even explain how much fun you will have. Congratulations.
 
Robyn,
I am jealous!!! My son is 29 and is just now settling down. I have a "sort of' granchild as his girlfriend has an 8 yo son. My daughter is 25 and is getting married in April. Maybe sometime in the not to far off future I'll have Grandkids too.
We called my Grandma Nana, like Julie said her Grandkids do. My sisters kids called their Grandma on their Dad's side "Buddy", which I always thought was really a fun idea.
Congrats and hops for a happy healthy grandbaby. From what i hear, being a Grandma is awesome!!

Mary
 

Robyn

New member
Thanks for all the input and advice everyone! I am nervous I guess, because I am not crazy about babies. Don't get me wrong, I love babies, but not comfortable handling them. Strange, I know, having had 3 of my own......

And, I took good care of mine when they were babies, but I was always relieved when they were older. Now, when they are 2 or 3, I love that age. To me, that is the most fun time. But the tiny ones just make me so nervous.

I worry that I won't be able to show what I am really feeling inside. Does that sound stupid? Is there something wrong with me? I am so nervous and excited, but nervous.

Carlin's wife, Jaimie, knows that I just think she is the greatest. I love that girl as if she were my own, and I couldn't ask for a better daughter in law. She loves all my dogs and isn't afraid of them, she likes my cats and the bird, and loves to just hang out with me.

Just an instance of how in tune she and I are.....for Christmas last year, she brought me a rusty old metal wheel. Now, my son was mortified, but she insisted that is what she was getting me. I was estatic. I LOVE stuff like that and she knew that it didn't have to be a new shiny thing to make me happy. I love this kid and I know she is going to be such a good and fun mom for any kid and I know that my grandkids are going to be lucky to have a mom like her. I just hope I can be as good of a grandmom as she is going to be a mom....
 

BoundlessNewfs

New member
Robyn...you sound like me...We had four children, very close together in ages. By the time I'd finished the baby phase with #4, I was totally "over" babies. When our kids' longtime friends have married and had babies, everyone else is oohing and aaahing, and while I am happy for them, I'm just glad it's not me! I have trouble getting excited.

We have one grandson, and he is a bright, fun kid (a little over two). I do enjoy babysitting him and teaching him things, but I'm always glad to have him go home so I can sit down and relax again. I'd forgotten how ACTIVE toddlers are!

Congratulations!
 

ina/puusty

New member
We had wanted two children..and we had two children..but the warming up process..was slow for me. I remember being totally on point with all the nurture and tech. of safe baby dealing and care and handling..but..I was not then..gushy..over any baby. I held them..and studied me..studying them..so to speak..until I sussed-out..that although my mother was the nurturing one..greatly so..my father was much more business like..therefore..I had inherited 'less nurturing' qualities..at the start. After I had a few months under my belt..the actual 'momma bear'..kicked in..and ..should I ever have actual grandchildren (the sons signifs already have a child apiece/former marr.)..I will warm to them upon sight. So..long story shortened a bit..understanding ..what we all saw/felt..growing up..will 'inform'..each of us..as to how our emotions...emerge/grow/change..within us. :) ina n HB n Kesa
 

Robyn

New member
According to all my aunts and uncles, while my mother wanted to keep my at her side all off the time, even as a baby, I didn't want much to do with her. I wanted to be left alone......(thus the reason she still resents me to this day)

My dad's sister came for a visit this summer and stayed with me the whole time she was here. She and I had marathon talk sessions that lasted all night, and I learned so much about me, my dad, and my mother and probably why we all act the way we do. lol

My dad stayed in the marriage because of us kids, which I had suspected for years. I knew that a man could not be treated as he was and stay unless his kids were so important that he couldn't leave without them.

My mother was a spoiled and miserable person then, and she still is. My boys have very little to do with her, and it is her fault, not mine. Except for the fact that I don't allow Keevin to spend the night at her house. But, he doesn't want to spend the night with her. I allow her to see him here at my house, where I can keep an eye on her and intervene when she starts on her psycho rants to the kid.

I guess I fear that I turn out to be like her. But, you can fight genetics, can't you?
 

ina/puusty

New member
You damn-betcha you can!! ;) Once any of us..'sees' the reasons/history.. for something..we can/modify/correct, and..move on. :) ina n HB n Kesa
 
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