When I was a kid, I loved sleeping over at my Grandma’s. She made homemade corn fritters and French fries in a pot of oil on the stove and cinnamon toast for breakfast. After we swam in the pool in her apartment building, she would tie a plastic sandwich bag around my pony tail so it didn’t drop water all over her apartment.
I was excited when each of our kids started making their first sleepover memories at my parents (Grandma Linda and Papa) and my in-laws (Grandma Susan and Pepere). Grandma Linda wrote a journal entry from the perspective of each of our kids for their first sleepover. Here’s a journal entry from our oldest daughter’s perspective when she was 16 months and she had her first sleepover: “While Grandma made lunch, I pushed my corn popper round and round the house. I laughed and then Grandma pushed the floppy duck around too and we laughed and laughed. I helped Grandma “dead head” her flowers, but I think I took off some good flowers too. It was fun.”
What do you like best about having the grandkids sleep over?
Grandma Susan loves getting to know each child’s distinct personality—without their siblings competing for attention. “It reminds me of raising my own three children and it is a great experience for my second husband, Pepere (Brian),” says Susan. “He never had kids, but loves spending time with them and sharing my kids and our grandchildren.”
Grandma Susan loves feeling more relaxed as a grandparent. “There is no pressure with schedules and routines. They are great for me so I don’t have to worry about discipline. Grandchildren do no wrong and we get to spoil them. We love them so much and they love us so much.”
Pepere loves teaching his grandchildren how to play the guitar and the drums. “It’s amazing to see their demands for technology,” says Pepere. “They commandeer my iPad and love the drawing programs on it.”
Pepere enjoys seeing his grandkids move in for the weekend. They take over the guest room and their second bathroom. “The grandkids really add dimension to our living space,” he says. “It’s nice to see them comfortable in their second home.”
What activities do you enjoy doing together?
Grandma and Pepere spend quite a bit of time walking to the fairy garden by their house. “Our oldest granddaughter leaves toys and notes and the fairies write her back.” Grandma Susan said that their grandson “refers to Government house as his secret garden.” They often go for afternoon walks or tea at the Government house. They also like to let their grandkids prepare supper or dessert with them or they take them out for supper.
Grandma Linda collects heart-shaped rocks and takes the kids beachcombing with her. They collect sea glass together and make ornaments and art out of the sea glass and rocks.
Papa loves building Lego and doing puzzles. He’s always patient and enjoys putting Lego sets together and playing board games with his grandchildren. He also enjoys nap time, cuddle time, and TV time on the couch with them.
Grandma Susan and Pepere are looking forward to taking their grandkids shopping for back to school clothes. Grandma Linda also enjoys shopping at the thrift stores with her grandkids.
What are some cute quotes from your grandkids?
While Grandma Linda was walking with her oldest granddaughter in the winter, her granddaughter said “That man is shaving snow off his truck just like Daddy shaves his face with a razor.”
Grandma Linda’s grandson was watering the plants with her and then said “Wait, I can’t come inside yet.” He paused and then put a straw in the flower pot he had just finished watering—“…for the bees to drink water.”
Grandma Linda knits and one evening at supper her youngest granddaughter picked up her fork and spoon that she was using to eat her spaghetti and then crossed the ends and started moving them against each other. She said “I am knitting like you Grandma.”
It’s amusing to see how different your parents can be with their grandkids than they were when you were a child. My brother had kids first and I remember going to my mom’s house and seeing crushed cereal bits by her back door and her first grandchild wandering around the carpeted living room with a Dilly Bar each hand. When we were kids we were never allowed to eat in the living room—let alone be armed with two dripping Dilly Bars. Perhaps when I have grandkids one day, some of my parenting rules will go out the window, too.
