Proud Gran

I used to work with a lovely lady who had 4 grandchildren. If you ever got cornered into a conversation with her she would bring out the photos and you would hear extensive details about each child's achievements, brownie badges, what sports teams they were in, how brilliant they were at singing, GCSEs results ad infinitum. I know she was a proud mum and gran, but it was tedious.

I think the OP would have been fine if the last sentence had been left out. It spoils the whole thing by changing the tone. Shame.

Wow! Remind me not to post that I am proud of my Grandchildren on Gransnet. Will get lynched.

It was bad enough listening to other mothers when my children were young, it always made me feel they were real thickos. So does it perpetuate with grandchildren? Can we just grow up. Someone tell me what am I meant to say when the wunderkin are bigged up.

DD was anxious about her class results as she's had to have three months off for a two major operations.

They did her proud - she taught them well.

I'm so pleased for her.

I watched my youngest gd today at her end of year show(she attends a stage school for three hours a week every Sunday) she danced, sang and acted her socks off. I was more than proud, she was amazingly superstar wonderful. This is what real in your face bragging looks like, not like the OP spoke about her gs whom many of you have ripped to shreds, shame on you.

If children were "nervous and physicially sick", there's something wrong there. Fault of either the teacher or the parents.

Well, I asked GS how he got on with the SATS. He said it was "boring". How did he do? "medium". That'll do.

Well said Shazmo, you put it so much better than me

Whats the problem with us as Grandparents being proud of our grandchildren?.. In this case it was how her grandson conducted himself during a stressful time of taking SATS (which may be the real issue here for some if they are worthwhile or not)
I'm proud of my 2 GC...they get certificates for the number of books they read, for drawing a picture of the Queen, for being helpful in class etc etc.
We can all say and should be able to say we are proud of our GC in whatever they do

I can't believe I am reading these comments. We have a gran who is proud of her gs achievements and then we have a whole load of what I an only regard as spiteful comments. Just be a bit "nicer" to other people with your comments.

I'm not keen on the whole SATS thing, for very many reasons which are too boring to enumerate, but why shouldn't OP be proud of her grandson? I'm very proud of all my dear GC, and consider them far superior to all other youngsters. I'm sure that most grans feel the same, deep down!

Lillie I see what the OP means - at DGD's school some children were physically sick as they were so nervous and wound up at the thought of the tests.

These were 7-8 year olds, not even the 11 year olds.
As I say, DGD took it in her stride as her parents did not make a huge issue of it.

Nelliemoser, as you say, I do think that you are probably 'over-thinking' MiL's delay in answering your question about the cousin's results. I'm personally very uncomfortable in competitive conversations about children. I know I tend to hold back when asked about results because I don't want my listeners to feel I am bragging or showing-off, or indeed that I am attempting to put-down the other child's achievements. I would always say how great the achievements are of the child being talked about at the time.

gillyknits I agree! I don't think I'll put my head above the parapet today.

Well said violette

I often read these posts and sometimes feel that I want to join in a discussion but, having read today's thread, won't be doing so after this.

Glad you are proud of him ! Have no truck with these people who say Oh poor things, the stress of exams ! Give me a break and go get a life ! If they haven't noticed by now EVERYTHING is life is a challenge .....if they are mollycoddled through childhood, what kind of adults will they become ? 'everyone owes me a living' ' I shouldn't be asked to do this'....'someone said something I didn't like, can I sue them ?' ....ye Gods ! I like a lot on here grew up in the 50s when life was tough ....we just got on with it ...never tried to blame anyone else ....took exams at school, passed or failed, went to Secondary Modern or Grammar School, then to work at 15, or on to college - some even went to Uni ! I despair for the future of the UK if children are bought up to always expect never to fail at anything and to be worshipped and kept in cotton wool !

My 7 year old grandson aced his SATS.. And so he should. He was born intelligent and enquiring and has encouraging and supportive parents, a never ending supply of useful activities available for him and a competitive streak. I had three children, one who was top in everything and enjoyed pressure, one who was also top in everything but worried himself sick (literally) over exams at every age. My third, for reasons totally beyond her control, struggled with all schoolwork and would have scored below the level required for any grade. My heart broke for her throughout her school years. So I don't brag about my grandkids. They are just lucky. I tell them well done and enjoy a hug.

My DS had many,many detentions at school! He just wouldn't toe the line. His not very good exam results always seemed to be a complete surprise to him -but not to us.
I wish he could have been more like the OPs GS but if he was he wouldn't be himself! I didn't mind in the least hearing about a boy doing well and being a credit to his parents and grandparents.

BBeven so funny!

My inlaws children are roughly the same age as mine. We had one a year each. When it came to exams I was telling my MIL what DD had got. Good results but not spectacular. I asked MIL about her cousin. Mil said "she did Ok" when I pressed her on this she said my neice had 9A stars.

I was probably over thinking this but I felt annoyed that Mil had felt the need to prevaricate about this perhaps thinking I would feel she was not regarding DDs achievements as important.

All children are different. My son was clever but liked enjoying himself and was a last minute worker. Lots of school reports about him not working hard enough. He nearly got kicked out with one important failed uni paper and had to resit.
He eventually got a PHd but that took a long time as he got distracted by musical stuff of all sorts. G & S, Classical stuff, Heavy Metal.

DD was similarly not one to apply herself very hard to her work at school and uni. She ended up with a degree in social studies and about 4 yrs later, much to my surprise, decided to go for a degree in adult nursing and now works in a hi-tech ICU.

They are both good people enjoying their lives. It's what you do in life that is important. Not how spectacularly you pass your exams.

I love a child with a soul as well as a brain, and a little mischievousness is good!
mumofmadboys puts it well, we mustn't underestimate any gifts of any child.
Our school broke up on Friday and my parting wish was that every child enjoyed a happy and safe summer holiday within their loving families.
That's it for tests, exams, assessments for 8 weeks! Chill.

breeze my sister has a detention slip for one of her sons, now 44. It reads " for entering the classroom through the window and not the door" He is a Dr now

Interesting thread. Period.