Note/ Disclaimer:
The benefits of the tips mentioned in this article will be exponential if the child involved is a cute, adorable bundle of absolute joy.
Fate had it that I became a full-time live-in grandma during this Covid-19 global pandemic. What may have seemed a glum situation turned out to be a true blessing in disguise despite the global circumstances. Being stuck indoors for months proved a little challenging, but upon reflecting on the situation, I discovered a few helpful tips that made my “job” as Grandma easier. These tips are the result of a short experience and are in no way to be considered a professional opinion. The internet is full of very useful material on all sorts of topics and related matters to which I often referred.
So here are my two cents.
For one thing, love for a grandchild is unconditional and certain. But that is not enough to look after him fulltime.
I learnt that the more time you are involved with your grandchild’s daily routine, the easier it gets to know how to handle him and therefore more fun and rewarding. You become a little more intuitive regarding Baby’s needs and soon you will be equipped with more go-to actions and the day becomes less overwhelming and easier to manage. You learn how to read the signals he sends. Because you know what time he slept and woke up and for how long; what time he last ate and how much; when his last poop was; what his favorite songs, games, and toys are; etc., looking after and caring for him gradually becomes effortless. You unconsciously learn about his mood, and 90% of the time, you correctly guess that he wants to be carried, or to be taken out to the balcony, or to play quietly alone, or that he is ready for some rough play, or he is hungry, sleepy, bored, etc.
I am not saying that it will be 100% easy nor that you won’t make wrong “guesses”. But with time, you “collect” helpful intel and a handful of “tricks” or go-to “actions” in your grandma repertoire which you can pull out as needed. What I do guarantee is that your right guesses will eventually outnumber your wrong ones and life with your toddler will become easier and more enjoyable and definitely more fulfilling.
You will get tired. You will get bored.
After a certain number of hours, you get beat, and you want a break. As the end of your “shift” approaches, you won’t feel like such a super grandma as much. And every time you hear a footstep or a door open, you pray that it’s one of his parents come to pick him up. You gladly hand Baby over, and you rush off to indulge in a quiet cup of tea or take a walk; or check your messages; or pick up your book; or anything you’ve been longing to do all day.
But beware. This feeling of “freedom” doesn’t last long. Because very soon you find yourself leaving your book, or your phone or whatever it is you are “connecting” with and going to look for him. And you want to know if he has eaten, if he’s pooped, if he’s sleepy, what’s his mood like, and you pray that when he sees you, he gives you a big smile and throws himself right back at you.
Once you’re a grandma, there’s no turning back.
