Grandparents everywhere, we salute you!
Specifically, we give thanks to Grandma and Grandpa who drove in from SLO after Friday services to help Whitney while her husband is at a Bachelor Party this weekend. And the other two sets of active grandparents who do regular rotations of childcare and support.
Grammy tries to read to wiggly gigglers
Also big props to Grandma and Beepa who will watch my kids solo so Alec and I can get away for the first time next month (eep!). And also Grammy and Beepa who will take a turn with their wild preschooler grandsons while hosting a fresh newborn granddaughter next month.
In honor of Grandparents Day, we’re sharing a favorite activity from our book, The Rookie Mom’s Handbook:
In the long run, Grandma, baby and Mom and Dad will all look forward to this annual tradition. Since you’re still a rookie, however, do this to the degree you feel comfortable.
How it works: You and your partner plan an overnight trip. It might just be to a hotel in a nearby city. Your baby’s grandparents come stay at your place, saving you the trouble of packing up your baby’s things. Train them on usage of the car seat and the coffeemaker and LET GO.
Encourage Grandma and Grandpa to establish special traditions with your child.
Add a night to Camp Grandma each year so that you take a two-night trip next year, and by the time your child is fourteen, dear Grandma will get a two-week fill of adolescent merriment.
If you’re a rookie grandma, we recommend The Granny Diaries to head off potential power struggles with rookie moms such as ourselves (because we know we can be difficult — sorry about that!). Here’s our review.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Love it! I’m sure we’ll be ready for that soon… maybe when he’s a year… and we’re not nursing anymore…
My parents used to send us to Mexico so we could be with our grandparents…not something that would be worthwhile just for a night or the weekend. We would go for the entire summer (yes, that’s four kids for three months at a time) and those summers are the best memories we have. We are the only grandchildren (out of 60+) who were able to enjoy our grandparents that way. My son (now 2) and stepson (now almost-5 – God bless his mother) have already been to visit my parents in Florida for at least 3-weeks and at most 5-weeks at a time. IMHO, letting willing grandparents help out is one of the best things you can do for your child.