Since my parents live near enough, we try to make time for the kids to go over and hang out with them every week. I have very fond memories of my grandfather and I hope that my kids will get to have a relationship as special as mine had with me.
It often happens when we go to visit that my kids will try to sweet talk their way into something they want, whether its a trip to their favorite restaurant or just a bag of junk food. I wait for my mom or dad to scold but not a word do I hear. I was waiting for them to at least gently reprimand the kids for shameless wheedling but if anything, my parents give in and go beyond.
I sat down with my mom and dad and talked with them about it. How can I tell my kids to behave if they will turn around and say it is okay. My mom points out, parents you are the disciplinarians. We the grandparents are the indulgers. Different roles to play in the lives of our loved ones.
We did come to a clear agreement though of where the limit of the treats lies and that is definitely a necessity or the kids would be spoiled rotten.
I have to admit though that it is wonderful that they care to be so generous. Not all grandparents are.
2 thoughts on “Grandparents Are For Spoiling”
haha this is sooo true. i loved my grandparents for spoiling me but when my parents became grandparents, i could never understand why they’re spoiling my kids :)
til one day, my dad told me (after i kept on stopping him from spoiling my eldest) “with the short time i have to spend with my grandkid, you want me to discipline him?!”—ah well, i guess grandparents all over the world are the same huh?
I am a new grandmother of 18 months and oh yes – grandparents are for loving in a different way than with our children. The child will understand the difference. These are lovely comments you are making really. I am just learning how to blog but I suspect you are in the age bracket of my oldest child – my daughter. So I can’t help but love this generation !! Barbara