It seems like ages ago in January when we found out we were going to be GRANDPARENTS!

Our whole family has waited with anticipation to meet this new little baby!

The due date of September 29th came and went, as did many other days passed that.

As a family we did our best to help my daughter and her husband pass the time.

We…

• walked

• napped

• ate spicy food

• watched movies

• shopped

• watched football

• and WAITED!

Finally… they went to the hospital on the evening of October 7th, but there was still more waiting to endure…

Then the text came…he is here!!!

On that evening of October 8, we finally got to meet our new little (well big… 8lbs, 1oz) Grandson! My daughter and her husband rocked the delivery and were proud parents!

While holding this new precious life in my arms, I began to wonder as I did with my own kids about how I can help to make a difference in his life.

Just like with our parenting plan, I thought it is time to sit down with my husband and think about what kind of support we can not only give our grandkids but their parents as well.

Looking back to my grandparents and my parents I think of all the things they did that influenced me as a person and a parent…

• hearing their stories from the past

• visiting them for the week end or a week without my parents

• Sunday dinners

• vacations

• family favorite recipes

• helping them set the table

• helping my grandma do wash the old fashioned way through an antique wringer

• hand made Halloween costumes

• special savings accounts

• playing card games

• the candy dish

• birthday cards

• grandpas teasing and laughing

• handmade blankets

• helping me learn math facts in fun ways

• going to church

• my grandmothers Christmas tree and fireplace decorations… I have her handmade felt Christmas mantle cover now, and I use it on my mantle each year

• having Grandma read The Borrowers by Mary Norton to us

• going to BINGO

• walks to town on old sidewalks into a small Iowa town

• homemade fudge

• grandma swinging with us at the playground

• walks on the parkway where the pine trees were so big that you could hide in them like a fort.

• learning to sew

• pen pal, hand written letters sent back and forth

• bowling

• putt putt

• watching our parents mentor our kids in scouts, golf, gardening, photo taking and many other activities

The list goes on, and while my grand-parenting mentors give so many examples of how to enjoy our grandkids, they also were not afraid to raise an eyebrow or give out a “word to the wise” if we were getting off track. They supported the parents and knew the value of not spoiling too much or letting kids run wild.

I already know the value of writing down my parenting plans, goals and routines, and now I think it’s time to begin my grand-parenting roadmap! I will keep you posted on how that goes along!

So, with all of this excitement, I put my duties as a blogger and book writer on the back burner for a few weeks, but I am back to work now and more determined than ever to continue to help moms and dads think about how they want to raise their kids and jot those valuable plans down!

I am excited to get back to blogging and posting about important parenting topics as well as some fun things for parents to think about and plan for as they raise their families!

I have gone a little crazy with pictures already as you can see below. I’m sure there will be many more to come as, well….I just can’t resist!

Love,

Grandma Kristin

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