Gransnet forums

Grandparenting

Grandparents Day - what's the best thing about being a grandparent?

(61 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 08-Sep-17 10:35:45

Sunday is Grandparents Day* so we thought we'd celebrate the occasion by asking you what your favourite thing about being a grandparent is? Or tell us your favourite grandparenting moment?

(*Disclaimer - it's actually the US version but more often than not it's celebrated worldwide on this day.)

lemongrove Fri 08-Sep-17 12:05:35

I don't think anyone celebrates it here Lara ( do they?) although it sounds a pleasant thing to do.
I think the nicest thing about being a grandparent is having
Time to play and talk to them, yes, we did this with our own children, but didn't have a lot of time, and it's a different relationship to being a parent anyway.Telling off is kept to a bare minimum and the theme is having fun.?
A few years ago, when we had snow, building a snowman with a little DGS in the garden was pure joy.

goldengirl Fri 08-Sep-17 12:19:34

Doing things you'd feel silly doing on your own.
AND being able to hand them back grin

Starlady Fri 08-Sep-17 12:43:40

Those warm, loving greetings when I come over, accompanied by those sweet hugs and kisses!

Not that dd/their mum doesn't greet me, too, lol! But, imo, there's nothing like the joyful greetings of little children!

Btw, according to the article featured on the Gransnet home page, gp day is Sept 10 in the U.S. this year but Oct 1 in the UK.

Smithy Fri 08-Sep-17 13:06:35

I've never met anyone here who celebrates grandparents day.
There are so many good things about being a grandparent. My favourite is when they say ''but I don't want to go home yet I want to stay longer''

Anya Fri 08-Sep-17 13:06:56

Yes, agree Starlady that spontaneous hug!

GS1 who's just turned 11 and getting suddenly taller has started giving me a huge bearhug when we meet.

kittylester Fri 08-Sep-17 13:40:05

Simples - having grandchildren!

Nanny27 Fri 08-Sep-17 14:29:45

Taking lots of time to splash about in puddles or read stories making up for all the times when you had to say 'hurry up to your own children.

SueDonim Fri 08-Sep-17 14:35:39

We don't celebrate Grandparents Day, though if anyone wants to spoil me with wine, chocolate and flowers, feel free. grin

This year I have loved cuddling a newborn grandchild, just hours old. I adore newborns and to hold one without being responsible for keeping it warm, dry and fed is just wonderful!

I also love how my grandchildren are so non-judgmental of me. It's wonderful how they take you as they find you. I love, too, how they shout my name and rush over for a hug. No one else is ever that pleased to see me, hahaha!

Norah Fri 08-Sep-17 14:53:40

I never celebrated GP day, I don't know who has that celebration.

Day6 Fri 08-Sep-17 14:58:49

Grandparents day? Another celebration created by Hallmark, that well known purveyor of cards and expensive knick-knacks? Kerrrching go the tills.....

I am cynical. If it's an American celebration they can keep it.

Any love shown at any time by the grandchildren is enough for me. They do not have to buy me trinkets or put aside a special day to remember me.

They are in my life, some of the time. That is enough.

MissAdventure Fri 08-Sep-17 15:05:19

As above. I don't need to wax lyrical.

hulahoop Fri 08-Sep-17 15:45:35

Don't celebrate a special every day I get a spontaneous smile,cuddle,and love you grandma from any of mine makes my day.

silverlining48 Fri 08-Sep-17 16:01:58

Not being aware of grandparents day, (american?) by coincidence we are dropping a schultute ( german) in for our gs who starts reception on monday, so have just messaged my daughter to let her know the glad tidings and to get some cake in, blow the diet. Its grandparents day!! Not that any of us knew that sunday is such a 'special' ? day.
To answer the post i love it when they stay over with us ( not very often) how they creep into our room, round to my side anytime from 5.30am onwards and climb up into bed for a giant humungus squishy cuddle.

NanaSunshine01 Fri 08-Sep-17 17:54:01

The love you feel for them is returned equally to you.

The look on their faces when they see me and vice versa. Spending time with them is utterly precious. I would gladly lay down my life for each of them.

downtoearth Sat 09-Sep-17 08:32:08

For me I like the idea of grandparents day.There is always confusion and upset surrounding mothers day for E ..my GD..she feels anger and disloyalty to her mum...the anger normally taken out on me through guilt so we dont celebrate it...but a GP day for that reason means that she would feel no guilt in giving a card or spoiling me .....I might add I dont want or need this but when she is with her friends all buying for their mums it does cause her a lot of heartache smile

silverlining48 Sat 09-Sep-17 08:55:11

Sending hugs and flowers to those grandparents who have been cut out of the lives of their grandchildren.

Bibbity Sat 09-Sep-17 10:26:16

I'm in the UK and have never heard of this. But I'm going to go online and send my mum some flowers. So thanks for posting this.

tanith Sat 09-Sep-17 11:18:57

Another Americanism most uk grandparents either ignore or are unaware of.

silverlining48 Sat 09-Sep-17 12:06:47

Its always nice to get flowers and to know you are appreciated, whatever the day.

NanKate Sat 09-Sep-17 21:28:54

Our 6 and 4 year old GSs spoke to us on FaceTime today whilst they were having a delicious looking fish and chip supper.

Their chat was constant with them both wanting to tell us about their recent holiday in Cornwall, this morning's trip to football practice, the eldest's new male teacher who he says is very funny but strict, the movie they went to see and we were introduced to books about Captain Underpants which they thought was very cheeky smile.

We could hardly get a word in edgewise but that's ok as long as they are happy and keen to share their lives with us, we are happy to be doting grandparents.

I feel for those grandparents who have grandchildren miles away or on another continent.

WendyS Sat 09-Sep-17 21:42:28

Sounds as if Hallmark got in a typical American bin. Uggg.

Starlady Sun 10-Sep-17 01:54:00

Well, I googled "how did grandparents day come about?" and I found that while it was started by an American, Marion McQuade, she had nothing to do with Hallmark cards or anything like that:

www.legacyproject.org/guides/gpdhistory.html

I do agree that Hallmark takes advantage of it, as they do all kinds of special occasions, imo.

WendyS Sun 10-Sep-17 04:27:01

If it's American scheisse they can keep it.

inishowen Sun 10-Sep-17 09:12:00

On Friday my five year old GD said she had a present for me. She'd made a card in school. It said "I love you" and she'd drawn a heart. She could have given it to anyone, but this time it was me and I was so happy. I love watching my grandchildren develop into little people. It's so special.