Grandkids: The Reward

Out of Control by Heath Robbins

If your life looks like this, better days are coming.

It's worth the hassle of having kids just to get grandkids. They're so different from regular kids—they love completely with no expectation except receiving love back. It's a forgiving, tolerant, accepting kind of love. They aren't trying to improve us, or change us. We're good enough. Who else loves us that way? They aren't embarrassed by us, and actually expect us to be a little eccentric, which gives us confidence to just be ourselves.

Twinkies

If you don't have any grands of your own, there are plenty of kids that could use an extra grandparent. Neighbors have made my grandkids doll furniture, brought over bottles of bubbles, lent Disney DVD's, let the kids sit with them in church and taught them how to rake leaves. A friend of mine makes doll clothes for grand-nieces, and another teaches beginning piano for free. Kids have plenty of love to go around and once you get a little, you'll want some more.

Lucy and Opa

Here's some perfect advice for grandparents: "When you get right down to it, life has a fairly simple formula. Everyone needs a victory every day. That's what keeps us going. Each of us should do what we can to give others opportunities for victories. And each of us should do what we can to minimize moments of defeat for the people we love." —Don Gale

Jake and Opa

My Uncle Don was widowed in his 80's and lived many more years. He became a volunteer at a nearby elementary school, reading to the kids a few times a week. Other days he went to Primary Children's Hospital and rocked sick babies when parents weren't able to be there. He was a stooped old man when Aunt Rosie died, but he had a spring in his step and the eyes of an angel after he became a volunteer grandpa.

Oma Tea Party

With twenty grands, (from thirteen years to fourteen months) I'm surrounded by the goodness of kids. They give me perspective—I remember what it's all about. All those out-of-control motherhood days seem worthwhile in the great land of Oma-hood.

So, hang in there, moms.

In a few years little kids will seem absolutely grand!