Soon my not so little family will be going north to visit family and after a week all together our 4 children will be there without us spending quality time with Meme and Pepe who are thrilled to have them. I am going to miss them very much.
You should have seen me the other night in near tears because my 6 year old went with a friend just a mile away to see fireworks. I worried for him so much. Turns out he was not scared at all, had a great time, and I worried for no reason. This though might give you a glimpse into how things may go for me and for him. I think though no matter how I feel it is important that they all get time together.
I think grand parents to some extent have rights to their grand children and time with them. Meme and Pepes are great with them, patient, and easy going about how young children can be and what they need. I know they will be safe, that they will not be exposed to bad influences, and that it will not be overly stressful on Meme and Pepe to have them so long. Most of all I know they will have a great time together and learn a lot.
Not everyone has grandparents, or ones they are comfortable leaving children with, or ones that are interested in being in the lives of their grandchildren. I feel badly about that situation. I think if it is possible to fix things, or make them work that it is important to try.
Not all my siblings see the importance of time with grandparents for one reason or another. I think my little sister though does very much get it and not just because she is a social butterfly and tries to be the glue in the family. She is not perfect (who is?) but she tries hard and I am so proud of her for it!
Speaking of little sister, soon after we go back north to get our little ones we will be going down south for her wedding and to spend time with another set of grand parents. The kids can not stay there without us though as school will be coming and everyone there works and trying to school the kids, work, and keep house would be a bit much for most everyone not used to it. At least we will have a few weeks there for the kids to have adventures and wonder hubby and I to wonder around a bit and get lost and have an adventure together too. It will be wonderful to see so much family this summer. The children are so excited about so much, specially playing with cousins this coming week up north. They always have a great time and I love how they can all be wild together. I wonder if the boys will be trying to carry baby around again and giving her kisses. They are so adorable!
I try to remember on long trips that can be hard that:
“It takes a village to raise a child” – old African proverb
Being military and so far from family and many friends it is all the more important we make trips when we can. Family is more important than Disney, though maybe next year we can do both?
Have a great summer, be sure to connect with people more than stuff!
It’s wonderful when kids get to have a relationship like that with their grandparents.
I COMPLETELY agree!! No matter where we move to, I always make sure our daughter sees my parents (her Grandmommy & Papa) a few times a year. She ALWAYS spends Christmas with them. My brother and sister in law & step siblings don’t spend as much time with them.