You have know idea until it happens!! I must admit, when I raised my kids and they moved out, I was not one of those parents pining away wondering when I was going to be a grandparent. With that said, I even told my kids to not even think about it until my youngest had been out of high school for at least a year.
My oldest daughter has been the first to get married, which we love the gentleman she married, they are so cute together. As some motherly advice, I mentioned, make sure you get through your first year of marriage before trying to get pregnant. Which a month after their first anniversary, we found out we were having a grandchild. I was so happy and nervous all at the same time. For one thing, I know how a baby changes every, two holy shit I’m going to be a grandma and three I hope I can live up to the expectations.
My daughter was probably the most beautiful pregnant person I have ever seen, and I’m not just saying that because she’s mine. She took such good care of herself, and was totally all in about being a mom. So proud of her. I was so excited, at the same time thinking, is the baby going to like me, will I be a good grandma, I hope I don’t do anything stupid.
The day of delivery, originally myself and my daughters mother in law were supposed to wait in the waiting room, to make a long story short, we actually got to be in the birthing room for the whole time. I have to say it was one of the most amazing moments in my life (set aside having my own children) watching your grandchild come into the world is so amazing, my son in law was an amazing coach for my daughter. Such an amazing thing, can’t say it enough, I highly recommend it.
Now that my granddaughter is 7 months old, I just love watching my daughter being a fantastic mother, I love seeing how my granddaughter is so smart, well adjusted and of course just completely fabulous. I so love being able to spend time with her, it brings me back to when I got to spend time with my grandma, a time I have cherished my whole life. I hope to build that kind of relationship with my granddaughter. I love the new relationship I have with my daughter, not that it was bad, but we are both moms now, whole different playing field. It’s so great to be there for her, when she needs me.
All I can say is, being a Gigi (I prefer, instead of grandma) is awesome, the next generation is so promising, it’s a chance for you to have a second chance of doing things differently, and of course it reminds you of all the things you thought you forgot when your kids were little tots. Our newest addition to our family has given us all new responsibilities, we have aunties and uncles, great grandparents and great aunties and uncles, of course the new parents, we all have risen to a higher level of love in our family and the responsibilities to each other.
I raise my glass to all you wonderful families and families to be out there. Sit back and enjoy the ride!
