Me Thinks

A friend gave me this book and I really enjoyed it.  Linda Eyre provides dozens of ideas for involved grandmothering, including: planning family reunions, helping at the time of new births, talking with teenagers, participating in service projects, and so on.  Some ideas were very applicable and appealing to me. Here is a sampling of her wisdom regarding being a grandparent:

The legacy that we leave to our grandchildren probably won’t end with a monument built of brick or stone or even a bronze plaque dedicated in our honor.  What we leave will be invisible.  It will be a monument of love and understanding and integrity and courage inside their minds and hearts that will stand forever (pg. 2).

As grandmothers, we share the weight and sorrow of worries which are now often beyond our control (pg. 144).

Even though the responsibility to raise these cherubs is no longer mine, I can make a meaningful difference in their lives (pg. 281).

Ponder what you want your grandchildren to remember about you.  Will they think you were gracious or grumpy? Fun-loving or fastidious? Cheerleader or chider? What are the times that they will remember with you? What have you taught them they will cherish? (pg. 282) 

 

She also had some great thoughts on anxiety:

Create a worry period.  If you’re worried about something, set a time limit to worry.  Set an alarm on your phone or a timer on your stove, and when it rings, distract yourself with another thought and go on with your day (pg. 155).

Accept uncertainty. Remind yourself that you have no control over an uncertain situation (pg. 155).

Ask yourself if the problem is solvable.  If it is, come up with a doable plan to work it out.  If not, dismiss it (pg. 155).