What we learn from (or teach) our grandchildren

I’ve taught almost all my GC to swim and the oldest are now teaching their own children.
I’ve taught some how to bake, to recognise plants, to look out for each other.

I've learned just today that my new shoes aren't cool.
Grandson just went past, looked at them, and said "lol".

What I learned from DGD aged 5 this week, is that I am even more decrepit than I thought.
Me, doing Anna’s hair, “Where is your hair clip?”
Anna, “You put in your pocket, Nanny. I think you have short-term memory loss.”

My grandchildren have reminded me of the pleasure in simple things. That bubbles are beautiful and bird song magical. That time spent watching a ladybird or spider spin a web is never wasted. They have taught me new ways of approaching maths - not that I do any better than I did with the old ways - and given me an insight into the pressures young people face. I have learned all about the Scouting movement and wish I could have been one.

Not sure I’ve taught them anything, rather as greyd has said it’s more a case of building on what they’ve learned at home. So, I’ve shared my kitchen successes and disaster and encouraged them to make their own. I’ve helped them understand that food can be tasty even if it doesn’t look like the recipe picture. I’ve got them interested in gardening, we think together about the seasons. They’ve experienced different homes having different rules and to respect them. They learned to stay away from home without Mum and Dad. They’ve come to understand that we believe in them and love them unconditionally, that most mistakes can be put right. That opinions can be different without people being wrong. They have definitely learned that older people do know things.

Daddima
My eldest DGS had delayed speech and as family we all learned Makaton.

As a children of a deaf lip reading parent
My sister and I often resorted to using 'The deaf alphabet' when a bit of extra help was required.

In the future I may also teach The BSL alphabet to my DGSs as their father uses 2 hearing aids and unfortunatly his hearing is deteriorating

The other day my DGS aged 11yrs told me octopuses had 8 brains. Amazed, I used my phone to check. In fact they have 9 brains and 3 hearts.

CD is GD

I've taught my CD how to cross stitch onto Binca; French knitting and were slowly building up her baking skills too. In the school holidays I taught her how to make slime! That was a winner!

GS is too little yet but I'll do the same with him too.

GC have taught me not to wish away every stage they're at, like I did with my own DS; just to enjoy the present, stop rushing, take our time and look at the world through their eyes.

how to chop carrots without them pinging off all over the kitchen could you teach me that trick please Greyduster? I spend ages going around the kitchen looking for air borne vegetables.

I taught my children and then my older grandchildren the British Sign Language alphabet.

I am beginning to learn Makaton, courtesy of my younger grandchildren (and Mr Tumble!)

I'm now a Dinosaur and shark expert courtesy of my little grandsons.
I have learned new songs from school and nursery.
My DGS have been my time machine
Back in time to running through the forest, climbing trees, building dens, playing ball,
building sandcastles, jumping over waves,
Hotwheels and Lego I could go on and on.

From us as GPS - cooking and gardening
With my help my little Grandsons love to make rice crispy cakes, buns and mash potatoes with lots of milk and butter!

This year DGS have grown from seed peas, beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumber and aubergines.

Today they used a dibber and planted spring bulbs.

Last year they helped grandad build a bug hotel and can often be found in our garden with magnifying glasses on bug safari.

From my maternal grandmother cooking, My parental grandfather painting and visiting museum and art gallery and pig farms lol!
Love of books from my maternal grandfather.
And my paternal grandmother sewing (Unfortunately not with any great success)
Old fashioned customer service she worked in a drapers and would sometimes let me stand on a box behind the counter.

My eldest Grandson 7 has learned to whistle from me.

Over the last at least 150 years on my father's side there has been a family whistle. So if anyone gets lost you whistle and they whistle back. My youngest grandson who can't whistle yet sings the sound.

I whistled in John Lewis yesterday and I saw DH stop and look round to see where I was. It has worked hundreds of times.

I don’t feel that my GS has learned anything from me, except perhaps how to bowl a cricket ball, and to cast a fly fishing line (we’re still working on that one!). And how to chop carrots without them pinging off all over the kitchen! I have spent a lot of time consolidating and refining all the skills and life lessons his parents have taught him, encouraging him to try and improve the things he’s less confident with and praising him for the things he does well. What have I learned from him? Minecraft ?!

My grandchildren are too little yet for me to influence them in any way, but I have taught all of them the joy of books. My grandmother taught me music hall songs, they were our lullabies, and in turn I sang them to my children and now my grandchildren. My eldest, 20 months, is especially fond of "My Old Man" and "Any Old Iron."

My granddaughter taught me what all the acronyms meant in texts. I thought LOL was lots of love

I taught her to make apple crumble and I am sure a few other things too

can't honestly say I have learned anything from the DGC that I didn't know 'of children' before.
Have taught them an interest in nature, names of trees and flowers, what bees do just simple things that parents don't always have time for.Also an interest and enjoyment in country walks [no theme parks for me.]

My grandchildren have taught me so much - not that they're probably aware of it!

They've taught me how to be more 'fun' and laid-back, not worry so much about the small things, and smile more. I'm less concerned with things like obsessing about how clean the house is, and more bothered about living life and spending time with them Oh, and what 'snapchat' is - not that I'm on it.

What have I taught them? Hopefully to respect everyone, and that they can be anything they want to be with time and hard work

I have learned, once again, the wonder of the world seen through a childs' eyes.

My grandchildren have learned from me that the simplest things can be turned into something special....cotton wool and an empty coffee can, transformed into a snowman; treasures collected on a walk plus a cardboard tray can become an indoor "garden".
They look at everything with a "what can we make" eye.
And to quote my daughter: ^I love that you do the craft, so I don't have to!^