cff GRANDMOTHERS ARE IMPORTANT | Simple and Serene Living

GRANDMOTHERS ARE IMPORTANT

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

There was a time when it was the norm for extended families to live together. 

It was a time when grandparents were an integral part of a family's day-to-day living. A time when an older generation was deemed to be a source for teaching life experiences to younger members of a family.

grandmother's hands

Although those days have primarily ended, does that mean that grandparents and especially grandmothers no longer are needed in the raising of children?

"Some scientists think women evolved to live way past their childbearing years so that in middle age, unencumbered by babies of their own, they can make sure their daughters’ kids thrive.

These scientists posit that back in the days before farming, young mothers were better able to keep their kids alive when their own mothers were around to help forage—an advantage that has been dubbed the “grandmother effect.  (source unknown)

Okay, so that is the theory for why we live longer, but what is our purpose in the family now? 

elderly woman alone on park bench

Are we meant to take cruises where we play shuffleboard or hang out in bingo parlors?

Are we meant to pull up a park bench and settle in?

I agree with the author's thought that the importance of grandmothers has ebbed and flowed over time. 

grandmother in kitchen

Maybe grandmothers were less important in the mid twentieth century when most mothers stayed at home, but the importance of grandmothers may be on the upswing once again. 

I know that personally these last three years of living closer to my grandchildren has done so much for me and I hope also for my grandchildren.

great grandmother with child
my grandmother with my daughter

As Mother's Day approaches this week I realize that our jobs as mothers doesn't end when our children are grown, but continues on to the next generation and in many cases the generation after that.

There is no replacement for love, and grandmothers have an endless amount of that. 

Happy Mother's Day to all of my fellow grandmothers.


Comments

  1. Love your blog…my mother made sure her mom lived with or near… y ,other died aged 60 but I would have done the same…my son bought a condo for me here on the Gulf…taking care of family…happy M day to you also…

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  2. I feel we are grandmothers are so important to our grandchildren. I know you play a big role in your grandchildren's lives and I do too. My grandmother was involved but not like I am now. Have a great week and wonderful Mother's Day. xoxo Kris

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  3. What a wonderful post for grandmothers! Thank you Laura for sharing your heartfelt thoughts and wisdom. I hope you have a blessed Mother's Day!

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  4. I've been taking care of my grandson 20 to 50 hours a week since he was born 4 yrs ago. We love our life together. We spend our days, cooking, cleaning, reading, gardening & playing a lot. I don't know of anything I'd rather be doing with my life right now.

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  5. I definitely think grandmothers (and grandfathers) are becoming more and more important in this generation. I see it with my own friends, all who are very much a part of their grand kids' day to day lives.

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