Last night when I fell into bed and in the 20 seconds before I went to sleep, I was thinking . . in the past, when I’ve gone to visit Chad, Nicole and Addie, up until about a year ago, I stayed at their house. Nicole was cooking some; I’d cook some. I’d have Addie with me sometimes during the day but on weekends they were home. Sometime she was in school during the week. Then when I was staying in the hotel, I wasn’t cooking – I was either eating at their house or Addie and I would eat out. No cleaning! The pool tired Addie out and she was usually in bed fairly early.
Here . . oh, my goodness. I’m really exhausted. It didn’t help driving 10 hours to MO on Monday, then driving 10 hours back to Texas on Wednesday. I’m cooking, doing laundry, trying to keep the house picked up, buying groceries, doing things with Addie. I’m sewing some but usually with 100 interruptions.
In the evenings, I look at the house. The living room gets more cluttered every day. The kitchen needs a good scrubbing. I just don’t have it in me right now.
I have a whole new appreciation/respect for grandparents raising grandkids.
Karen says
Bob always tells people that he loves having the grandkids here but he also loves waving goodbye when they leave so he can rest up and ‘get back to normal’. It’s exhausting for sure. All those household chores and the clutter will still be there when she leaves and you can clean it up in between naps!
Judy Laquidara says
I’d leave it all but with Rita being blind, we have to keep things a bit picked up. And, the plumber is supposed to come today or tomorrow to change out a water heater so we do need a path large enough to get the old water heater out and the new one in. 🙂
vivoaks says
I agree wholeheartedly! That’s why we’re the grandparents – so we can give them back when we get tired! 🙂 Yes, we love them, but they sure are tiring. I can’t imagine being a grandparent who is raising their grandchild. Kuddos to them, for sure. Addie will look back on this time as something really special in her life, so take the time to enjoy her while she’s there. The mess will still be there when she’s back home….deal with it then!! 🙂
Judy Laquidara says
I think the real “test” will be whether she wants to come back next summer. The long trip here was hard on her but next summer, she won’t be in a booster seat and will be able to get a little more comfy in the car.
Pat Oster says
Clean later. Spend every moment making precious memories with your grandchild.
Judy Laquidara says
With Rita being blind, we need to keep the floors relatively clean and free of Barbies, and shoes and some amount of laundry has to be done, as well as cooking . . so the kitchen has to be kept as least picked up enough to feel like we’re not going to get sick from eating in there. Not a whole lot of cleaning but some minimal amount is required.
montanaclarks says
I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering if all was OK hoping you hadn’t gone back to Missouri with Addie. Glad you are having fun!
Judy Laquidara says
So far, she’s still saying she may stay til school starts.
Teri says
Glad she’s having fun and wants to stay. Has she picked a color for the wardrobes?
Judy Laquidara says
No. Vince is still working on them and I’m not even going to tell her about them til he’s done and ready for her to paint.
Ruth says
I’m sure Addie will appreciate helping you keep things picked up, washed up, and cooked up – perhaps even more than just entertaining her all the time. She knows that there is housework too, and sharing it with you will be more interesting and a change of pace for both of you.
If you really need a nap, turn her over to Vince for two hours! Tell her she can come wake you up when the two hours are over. Won’t that be a story for Nicole!
Judy Laquidara says
She and Vince together for more than 10 seconds usually results in tears. I have had her take a nap with me a couple of times. She needs it as badly as I do.
Toni Macomb says
My Mother always said, after having Grandkids,”God was smart when he made Mothers young”.
patti says
my mantra is, “that’s why god gives babies to young women.” and cleaning, cooking, picking up isn’t a chore at someone else ‘s house, like it is at home — especially at first. let’s put these things back first can be the beginning of every new adventure, and stuff isn’t as likely to pile up so quickly. enjoy every minute!
Linda in NE says
Grandkids do wear us out. Mostly, I think, because we try to entertain them and do stuff with them because we have them for such a short time before they go back home. I think it’s different for grandparents actually raising their grandchildren. Life goes on and the grandchildren learn to fit into it. Sure, there’s cooking, laundry, cleaning, all the everyday stuff, but the kids get called on to help. Or they get sent outside to play, or get told to go read a book or play in their room, or maybe go play with friends. The constant urge to entertain and be together every moment just isn’t there. Us old grandparents raised our own kids and we’re still worn out from that. LOL
Judy Laquidara says
You’re right!
Because I’m wanting to make clothes for her and clothes for the doll, I’ve been scrambling between house chores and the sewing room. Shopping with her was definitely exhausting. I thought shopping with Vince was bad! 🙂
She’s very good about playing in the sewing room with Boots, or being outside playing in the sprinkler, pool or swinging but still .. I’m up and down 100 times more than normal.
Dottie says
I understand so well (and I REALLY APPRECIATE now, more than ever how much my Grandmother did for us when we stayed with her). BUT, before you know it, they are teenagers and they enjoy being with their grandparents, it’s not like when they were still grade school age. And, then all of a sudden, they are adults (in college) and you have another relationship with them. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Joyce says
My cousin has raised her grand-daughter from when she was about 6. She is about 17 now, so there is a whole different set of issues now than when she was 6! I’m sure my cousin will be happy to be past the teen years!
Mary says
Enjoy her while you can. She’ll remember the things you did together and so will you. You can clean later. Just do what’s absolutely necessary while she’s there. I learned that years ago with my grandson. Luckily, he still takes naps! Enjoy!
Susan Nixon says
Grandparents raising children – they have a routine, it isn’t all funny at Granny’s house, like Addie’s visit. But I agree. When Rosa goes home, I’m wiped out, and I’ll bet we do less than you do!