Grandparenting Looms
March 16, 2019
"Depend upon it Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully" Samuel Johnson 1777
I remember awakening from a Sunday nap with a terrifying thought. My wife and I were expecting our first child. I woke telling myself you’re going to be a father now. It was chilling; the realization that I would now be expected to be a responsible adult. As has fast become common knowledge this June my wife and I are to become grandparents. June is three short months away and everything seems to be going well. This child we’ve been told will be a boy and he will be the first grandchild for us and our fellow grandparents. His feet may never hit the ground until he is five. I however feel no anxiety; I do not expect to wake up with any looming reality facing me with immediate implications. Unless, I fall asleep at the wheel. The prospects of grandparenting seem far less stress inducing.
My son who suffered from my lack of parenting skills
It does bring me to think about what a new born does mean. It is a lifechanging event for the whole family, even the dog Reggie. We all have different roles in this new life. Some us may have a far more limited role; now that my daughter-in-law has been told tales of my tendency to assume it is good for kids to help do things. The philosophy you’ll never learn any younger has its merits, and who’s to say four or five isn’t old enough to get on the roof and help Dad clean the gutters. Even though I may require supervision I think I will get to be an influence in this child’s life. My grandparents had a great impact on me. I think one of the losses in our modern world is far too many kids are not able to interact with their grandparents on daily or weekly basis. It harms the fabric of society. I do need to recommit to improve our environment; how low and selfish would it be not to leave our grandchildren a healthier planet.
I will dedicate myself to a better future
Beyond love what can I offer a grandchild? ....
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