Celebrating Grandparents

The doorbell rings. My children spring towards the door screaming, “It’s Grandma!” or “It’s Grandpa!”. The excited shrieks, giggles, and smiles can be heard throughout the house. When I come home (on the rare day I get to go anywhere by myself), my kids barely look up from their toys and mumble, “Hi mom.” I’m always here. I’m a comfortable, stable part of their world. Like the couch. But grandparents are fun and exciting. Their visits are full of games and treats and laughter. And that is what we celebrate this year on September 9th: Grandparent’s Day.

Giving thanks

I am lucky enough to have met all of my grandparents, including great grandparents and great-great grandparents. I feel blessed to have not only stories and pictures to remember them, but real, lasting memories. And I know what it is like to lose a grandparent and be left with only those memories. Grandparents are vital members of our families. 

There are so many ways to show Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Papa, Grammy and Grampy, Gram and Gramps how much you and your kids love them. But for me, the best way is to simply say thank you. I asked around and between myself, my kids, and my friends, we would like to say:

  • Thank you for being our children’s friends.
  • Thank you for being our children’s confidants. 
  • Thank you for showing us how to love our kids.
  • Thank you for teaching us how to be parents.

  • Thank you for being there – birthday parties, baseball games, soccer games, dance recitals, etc. 
  • Thank you for saying yes when our kids ask for something ridiculous. 
  • Thank you for saying no when our kids ask for something ridiculous.
  • Thank you for being silly.

  • Thank you for teaching our children and passing on your wisdom.
  • Thank you for babysitting.
  • Thank you for allowing us to have a break.
  • Thank you for making a mess with the kids.
  • Thank you for helping them clean up afterwards.
  • Thank you for the treats.
  • Thank you for the recipes.
  • Thank you for taking on the role of parent when we are not capable.
  • Thank you for playing.
  • Thank you for being active when your body is tired.
  • Thank you for teaching gratitude.
  • Thank you for teaching honesty.
  • Thank you for your hugs.
  • Thank you for your kisses.
  • Thank you for your time.
  • Thank you for loving our kids as much as we do.

  • Thank you for coming to baptisms, weddings, and other milestone events
  • Thank you for always seeing the good in our kids.
  • Thank you for reminding us of that good.
  • Thank you for the family dinners.
  • Thank you for the traditions.
  • Thank you for passing on our culture.

  • Thank you for the gifts.
  • Thank you for respecting our house rules.
  • Thank you for your concern for our kids’ safety.
  • Thank you for coming at all hours of the day or night to help in an emergency.
  • Thank you for making my kids laugh and squeal.
  • Thank you for the tickles and jokes.
  • Thank you for modeling loving marriages.
  • Thank you for showing us how to get through trials.
  • Thank you for showing us that life is better without a phone glued to your face.
  • Thank you for the stories.
  • Thank you for taking us fishing.
  • Thank you for teaching us about respect.
  • Thank you for the hours spent reading books.
  • Thank you for the snuggles.

  • Thank you for the sleepovers.
  • Thank you for helping with homework. 
  • Thank you for not being afraid to discipline appropriately when our kids are acting up.
  • Thank you for going on walks.
  • Thank you for going on bikerides.
  • Thank you for going camping.
  • Thank you for going on picnics.
  • Thank you for going on vacation with us.
  • Thank you for driving across the country to visit.
  • Thank you for the weekly Facetime chats.
  • Thank you for asking questions.
  • Thank you for answering questions.
  • Thank you for taking time off work to spend with us.
  • Thank you for taking pictures with us.
  • Thank you for being excited when you see us.
  • Thank you for being excited when our kids color you a picture.
  • Thank you for giving us your attention.
  • Thank you for everything you do for us. For the things we see and the things we don’t see. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

 

Ashley
I am the mom to four amazing kiddos. Isaac (2012). Eli (2013). Anna (2017). Ava (2019). I have been married to my husband Jonathan since 2009. I was born and raised in Nebraska and am a cornhusker through and through. I am also a local speech-language pathologist. I specialize in working with kiddos ages birth to seven, specifically children with autism spectrum disorder, apraxia of speech, articulation/phonological disorders, and developmental delay. You can also follow me at https://morethanmama.weebly.com/

1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you, my beautiful girl, for letting Patty and I be a part of your lives. We get far more than we give. Love you!

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