Being A Grandmother

This is a job where we get drafted and not asked to participate. Whether you are ready or not, being a grandmother could be coming your way if you have been blessed to have children of your own. I really did not think much of the title or responsibilities when I first learned of my induction. To be perfectly honest, I did not think about my parents feelings when I first told them that were becoming grandparents. These little people entering your life change you. Sometimes you learn more about yourself and your resilience than you thought you knew before. It is challenging, exciting, tiring, and an experience that will keep you sharp, driven and relevant.

I currently have three small grandchildren that I care for on a regular basis. They bring me heartache, joy, and wonder. Yes, it’s like having nearly all the players for a starting lineup on a basketball team. They try to outsmart me every day but I cannot allow it to happen because then they would rule the roost for sure. We have our moments when we are at war with one another. Then we have times when all we want to do is cuddle up to one another. Many days I feel torn between the obligation to nurture and the need to flee. Nurture always wins out but it can be a battle in my head some days.

Anyone who says it is easy to take on the responsibility of raising small children in mid-life is lying to you. I say my prayers every day so that I can stay focused on the job at hand. My little people only know that I am here to protect and care for them. All the other issues that come along with the situation has no bearing on the mission. I roll up my sleeves as I go elbow deep in the muck of child-rearing at the age of fifty. The potty training, talking back, and declaration of the end of our friendship can be more than I can handle from time to time. Yet, I rarely give into the antics of the little people in my life.

I love my little people with all my heart but some mornings I just wake up wanting to runaway screaming into the sunrise.  Many days I shed a tear for myself as a way of coping with this feeling of being trapped by little people. As a way to relieve the stress, negative thoughts, and frustration of my plight, I have written the book Being A Grandmother. It is make you laugh, cry and realize that this is a job without much adventure.  There are more teachable moments then a how-to manual. It is not sugar-coated or peppered with words of love. It is my situation as I see it today. Without the outlet of writing about my experiences, I really do not know where I would be. You can pre-order a copy on Amazon.com, BN.com and Smashwords.com today as it will be in wide release on June 5, 2016.