The Joys of Being a Grandmother

Miles (4) and Zoe (2)

 

In the past few years, as social patterns have changed, grandparents (and grandmothers in particular) have become very significant providers of child care.  Since moving to Townsville two years ago, I have joined their ranks and I now have two small grandchildren - Miles (4) and Zoe (2) - spending a good deal of their time with me.

During my lifetime I have performed a number of jobs that have carried a lot of responsibility (including, of course, the unpaid but vital jobs of being a wife and mother) but this particular task is up there amongst the most important.  The childcare I provide consumes two to three days of my week but I give this time willingly and with a strong conviction that it brings benefits to many.  

Firstly, I believe it is a significant part of my grandchildren’s lives, being based on a relationship quite separate from their immediate family connections and their more formal childcare and kindergarten arrangements.  I had a very close and loving relationship with both my grandmothers and I hope that my grandchildren will have the same affectionate and respectful ties with me.

Secondly, I know that my contribution makes a real difference in the lives of my daughter and her husband, both of whom are busy professionals.  They each  enjoy their work and they often tell me how much they appreciate being able to work in useful, satisfying jobs, knowing that their precious children have access to good childcare in a variety of settings, including with me.  Their acknowledgement of the importance of my role means everything to me.

Thirdly, my society benefits.  Here is a vital service given lovingly by a flexible, reliable  provider to two members of that vital part of out community - the young - who hold the long term future in their hands.  Childhood specialists have left us in no doubt that early nurturing is absolutely essential to the development of robust personalities in later life.  I like to think that my caring role will help to create two good citizens for tomorrow. 
 
And fourthly, I gain a great deal from this arrangement myself!   Here I am retired and in my late 60’s with time that would otherwise hang heavily now available to bring to my important new task.  Of course I enjoy other aspects of my retirement (including JN1001!) and I am glad to be sharing my twilight years with my much loved husband but I find that looking after my two little grandchildren and sharing their fleeting childhoods gives me enormous satisfaction and happiness.