Grandparents. . . . . . Underappreciated? Do your kids spend time with them?

@rocketj1 (6955)
United States
September 18, 2008 8:19am CST
My kids really enjoy spending time with both sets of grandparents. We live about 2 1/2 hours away from them though. We often will meet them Halfway to visit. And we frequently visit them. In the summer my kids stay for a week with each set of grandparents. My mom and dad take them fishing and they swim in their pool. They drive the golfcart around and sleep out in the camper. My inlaws take them to an arcade or a park. They can play pool or computer games. They recently bought a Wii for when they visit. In other words, we are very lucky first of all to have two sets of grandparents still alive to enjoy time with. And secondly, that they are interested in our children. I have heard many friends who cannot say the same. What about you? Are you children's grandparents involved? What does that mean for your children as a result?
2 people like this
20 responses
@thinksf (152)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I personally have no children (I'm 24), but I adore my grandparents, especially my grandmothers. One of my grandmothers lives five hours away, and I order her books and things and send them to her in packages, and call her at least three times a week to see how she's doing and to make sure she hears "I love you" at least several times a week. My other grandmother lives here in town and I go over to her house and eat lunch with her and visit with her as often as I can, as well as calling her to see how she's doing. Grandparents are amazing!
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
And I think you must be an amazing granddaughter!:) Thanks!:)
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
eek! so sorry! Just saw your avatar picture. GRANDSON!!!!
@fyrechsr (293)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Well...Lets first say I live about 700 miles away from the grandparents. I moved here almost 3 years ago and very rarely hear from Grandma. My children and I lived right next door before we moved and were very close. Since we have moved we hear from here maybe once a year. When I do hear from her she never asks me how the kids are doing. For instance, I talked with her the other day after not hearing from her for over 6 months. She went right into talking about her garden. I had to avoid the garden thing and throw things in about the kids. As soon as I did she stated she needed to go get in the shower. So any way, this past summer 2 of my children went and spent the summer with their grand father. They saw their grandmother for 1 day (not even) and that was only because it was the 4th of July BBQ she does. They were with Grandad for 8 weeks and saw her for a couple hours. How sad! This summer coming up the other 2 are going to stay with grandad for the summer and I am sure will not see her at all. I am very pleased that my dad had stepped up and wants his granchildren in his life. My kids see this and have pretty much written grand ma off. I cant blame them.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
That is really too bad that she is so uninterested. Just let your kids see that you are making an effort with her. You will never have any regrets then that you didn't at least try to connect with her. It's a shame really because she is really missing out! Thanks:)
@emarie (5442)
• United States
19 Sep 08
i would love for my kids grandparents to be more involved with them and spend more time with them. its not that they don't love them, but we live in 2 totally different states and they don't have the money to travel all the time. my kids see my mother more the my husbands parents. they just came up last june and my kids were so happy because thats their only grandpa since my father passed away when my eldest son was 3mo. old. the circumstances can't be helped but we try to keep in touch and they always tell us about how much they miss grandma and grandpa
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
It's great that you make an effort to keep in touch. Grandparents are important to your children! Thanks you:)
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
19 Sep 08
our grandparents live in the province, but when we were younger, we always visit them during summers and spend a week or two in the farm with them. my grandparents from my mom's side are already deceased, and they also live in a different province,so we seldom see them like my grandparents from my dad's side, but when they visit the city, they would always stay in the house. we love them, and still visit them from time to time. we dont see each other much, but the love and respect remains.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Thanks for sharing that with us!:)
• United States
19 Sep 08
well, yeah... my son really does. we live with my mom, and his other grandma and great grand parents live 30 mins away :D Family is a big thing to me :)
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Thank you:) Your baby is beautiful! Take care!
@akpay22 (131)
• India
19 Sep 08
Hey Rocketji1 nice to know that your kids get to spend time with their grandparents. Even my kid does. My MIL takes care of her when I am working, and we even visit my parents during our vacation. She enjoys being with grandparents. Her affection for them is amazing and she also gets a lot of pampering in return I also feel that spending time with your grandparents means our kid gets to know more about our traditions, more knowledge about our roots. Rather than keeping the kids with maid servant I prefer keeping them with grand parents.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
You are right! Thank you:)
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
19 Sep 08
First i can say your lucky enough to have both side, and the kids are enjoying there time with thier grandparent. yes my daughter enjoy also going to her grandma house but she still to young to stay alone there she need to go with us, her grandma & aunt & her auncle spoiled her much they are buying toys & dress for her, but in my mom house it is so far to go there because they are in philippines we cannot afford to buy ticket all the time except once a yar. just my mom talk to her in the phone even she talk anything.im sure she will be happy if she will see her grandma in philippines too.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Yes, grandparents are very good at spoiling kids:)
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
18 Sep 08
[i]Hi rocket, I have no kids but my Sister and I also are very close to our grandparents, we love to visit them and love to ask Dad and Mom to spend a night with them before... Every one in the family is close to them![/i]
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
You're always a grandkid, even when you grow up! Thanks:)
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Sep 08
my grandparents were the most wonderful people in the world. they are all gone now but i still miss them very much. i am trying to be a good grandparent to my grandchildren. they are young but i hope i live long enough to make good memories w/them.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I think that there is nothing like a grandparents love! Thanks:)
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
19 Sep 08
Indeed your kids are blessed because their grandparents on both sides are still alive. I admire the way you give importance to the oldies. Surely, they love to be with the kids. Grandparents normally enjoy fully well the company of the grandchildren. It is one important moment for them to be with these kids that they so loved. Of course not all oldies are like but most are. They are happier when the kids are around. Isn't that there is a saying that grandchildren are more loved than the children. This is because the grandparents tend to spoil the kids more than what they did with their children.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Yes. They don't have to discipline them. They can play and have fun and then when the kids are tired and cranky, They can send them home to you! Thanks:)
@Humbug25 (12540)
18 Sep 08
Hi there rocketj1 My kids love their nanny very much and she loves to come and visit us too. We live 2 hours apart but it is no big divide for us. I am very close to my mum and she would do anything she could for me and my boys. Soon my eldest will be old enough to stay at his Nan's and he is really looking forward to that day. I have only recently re-established a relationship with my father which was non existant for 15 odd years and we visit him and his future wife regularly but they don't have the get up and go, ready for fun personality that my mum has. I am no longer with my husband so the children don't get to see their grandparents on the other side so I am glad they have a grandmother, grandfather and stepgrandmother in their lives.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
There's nothing like a grandparent's love! Thanks:)
@jfilips (261)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Sadly I don't spend much of my time with them. I guess that this is because when I was a child, I never spend that much time with them either. It's just soething I am not so used to and since they are a bit kind of old, when I got to meet them I just tell them "hi" and ask how are they. I wish I could spend more time with them to talk and know them more, but it feels kind of awkward for me, no idea why, and also because I don't much free time. Actually it needs to be free days xD, snce they live hours aways from my house.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Sometimes it IS awkward to be with family members that you aren't that close to. Something that may help you is to ask them stories about the old days. Maybe stories about your parents when they were younger. Those are usually really good ways to get to know them. Grandparents are full of history. Thanks:)
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
19 Sep 08
my grandmother took care of me when my mom was still teaching as a Biology Instructor in high school.. I always make sure to visit them once a week..i love them, i cannot afford to lose them...
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
It seems that you have a wonderful relationship with your grandparents. Thank you:)
@seeths (413)
19 Sep 08
My son really enjoys being with his both sides and he loves playing and having fun with them.Especially the grandfathers he makes a great company with them.My father in law used to take him to the terrace in the early morning to do exercises etc and he loves being with him.My father plays with him and he takes ride for him which he utterly enjoys.So he is very lucky in that way that he gets love from both the sides and there is no problem. Regards
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Sep 08
That sounds wonderful! Thanks:)
@onerygirl (549)
• United States
18 Sep 08
From the other side, I am the grandparent and I think we add a special dimension to our grandchildren's lives. We have more time to spend with them then their parents do as a rule as we no longer work. I love going over and letting my kids have a parent's day off and just having a fun day with all of the kids. Each child is so different that we try to have one on one with each child and talk about their specialties. We never go over their parents heads but like to think that our grandkids can come to us with any problems. For those that have them, we are programmed into their cells in case of emergency. I love being a grandparent and it is good as I have 9 from 2 years old to 14.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Wow, I think your username may be a little misleading! You don't seem like an ornery grandma at all!:-D I can feel the love you have for your grandkids right thru this screen:) Thank you!
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
18 Sep 08
Hi rocketj1, I am a grandparent myself now, but unfortunately I live far away from my grandchildren, and only get to see them about once a year. When my children were growing up my mother lived with us, and they loved it. I didn't know either of my grandparents as they had passed on before I was born. Your children are very lucky to be able to spend time with their grandparents. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Do you e-mail your grandkids? My kids enjoy doing that! Thanks:)
@savypat (20216)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I'm a grandparent amd I'll tell you this from a different point of view. We love to get to know our grandchildren and we help as much as is possible, but we do not want to be expected to do anything other then what we agree to. We raised our children and if it is necesary we will raise our grandchildren but this is not our choice. I am very proud of all my family, and love them all.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Good point. Your children should not expect you to drop everything and babysit anytime they want you to. Grandparents need to be respected and not dumped on. Thanks:)
@rainmark (4302)
18 Sep 08
Everytime my son grandparents visited here, my baby is having fun with them and also they having fun with my baby, they feed him and bath him thats why everytime when they came back home my baby always expereinced grandparents syndrome and it takes a week for him to egt back into normal behavior.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Oh, I think I know the behavior you are talking about:) They get a little spoiled , don't they?:) It seems that you are very fortunate too. Thanks:)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 08
Yes, my kids too love to spend their time with their grandparents. My two kids (the third one is still attached with me).. love to sleep over at their grandparents(my in-laws) house whenever we visited them. We lived just an hour drive from them. My daughter love to spend time with my mom-in-law while my son love to spend his time with his grandparent as well as his two uncles. They also love my parents but since we live quite far away (4-5 hours drive) and seldom sees them , whenever we had the time to "balik kampung" (go back to my hometown).. they will surely spend their time with their grandparents. They would want to go shopping together, wedding and even going to the park/playground. Both my parents and parents-in-law are also very fond of them.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Your children are very blessed!
@Pikelet (79)
18 Sep 08
Our kids used ti think a visit to the grandparents was a great day out,they didnt get spoilt there or anything ,but we always used to stay for tea,and that was great to them,we used to have an old fashioned english tea,bread and butter and jam,then some fruit cake,they thought tat was great lol and I suppose thinking back it was good
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Your answer makes me smile:) Thanks!