No, of course, this wasn't a scientific study. I only polled 93 kids but I still feel I got a good idea of what it is they love about their grandparents.
I got some super cute responses such as--
- their hugs (3-year-old)
- coloring with them and rocking with them (3-year-old)
- they have chicken nuggets (5-year-old)
- they make me laugh (9-year-old)
- playing with their toys (4-year-old)
There were some funny ones--
- they spoil me (5th grader)
- they have a humungous tv with lots of channels (5th grader)
- they let us play in the creek mud at low tide (twins age 11)
The activity driven ones--
- he takes me fishing (5-year-old)
- they let us have sleepovers (6-year-old)
- they have a farm and I have fun with them (8-year-old)
Even some big kids (ages 15-23) mentioned they knew they could always go to their grandparents' house no matter what.
I did notice there were a few reasons that almost every single kiddo mentioned. Enough for me to quickly see a pattern. Nearly every single kiddo mentioned that their grandparents--
- listen
- spend uninterrupted time with them
- show genuine interest in things the kids like and want to do
- make the kids feel loved/safe
I don't think they were saying their parents don't do these things but a grandparent can dote. A grandparent can put things off while the grandkids are around. I remember wearing the parent shoes when the lovelies were growing up. Parents love their children but they have responsibilities that take their attention and time such as providing food, shelter, and clothing for their family, paying bills, getting the kids from here to there, home maintenance... all things that are necessary and still have quality time with their kids. Family life is busy and it isn't always easy to find that balance.
I didn't find any of these responses selfish at all. Who doesn't want to spend time with people who are genuinely interested in them? Who want to do things with them...who listen to us...who pay more attention to us than to our phones.
I mean, did y'all notice how none of those involved buying them things? I did have a couple who added going out to eat and to the candy store to their list but the gist was the same. It was the time. The time gladly and enthusiastically taken to interact with one another. Maybe we have more time when we become grandparents or maybe we simply realize the importance of how we spend our time.
When I think back on my own grandparents, this is the very reason I loved spending so much time with them. It wasn't about what we did but the time spent with them was genuine. They weren't trying to keep me quiet or get me out of their hair. It never mattered where we went or if we went as long as I was with my grandparents, I had a good time and I knew without a doubt I was loved. Unconditionally.
Oh, and when my own two were asked?
Bug (2 years old): "AMMA'S HOUSE!" (Oh, my official grandma name is, Amma thanks to Bug.)
Puppy (1 year old): "BAH!" (That's his word for ball and I had given him a box filled with 48 beach balls for his birthday...LOL)
Both of the kids LOVED the big box of balls so I have one at my house, too.
No wonder grandparenting is such fun. Grandkids are the BEST!
What did you love most about your grandparents?
Please visit CoasterDoodles!
