A couple of weeks ago we kept our grandchildren, Jake and Maddie, for the weekend so our daughter and son-in-law could finish unpacking after moving into their new home. Little do they know they’ll never finish. Finish isn’t a word used in conjunction with unpacking or moving. We’ve been in the same house twenty-five years and we still have “stuff” in boxes somewhere in the attic and garage.
Regardless of the end result of their endeavor, it was, and always is, our pleasure to get to keep Jake and Maddie for the weekend, or anytime, for that matter.
It was a weekend filled with toys dumped in the floor; not because they played with them, but because that’s what you do with toys, you dump them in the floor and then leave them. This is a test to see how “nimble” the grandparents are. Jake wants what Maddie has and Maddie wants what Jake has and if you get them both the same thing, they’ll want something different. Just like grown-ups!
We played in the backyard, rode tricycles, peddled toy cars, hid in tents and lunched outside; it was an unusually mild and warm winter day in Texas.
We try not to spoil our grandchildren, but we do anyway, unintentionally of course. Somewhere in the process we get them to mind and follow their parent’s instructions on what they are, and aren’t, allowed to do. We even adhere to bedtime schedules and eating guidelines, most of the time. We try to be good stewards of their parent’s wishes.
From time to time we have to go against our grandchildren’s desires and by doing so you never really know what they are thinking about you in the back of those little minds. It’s a fine balance between wanting the unconditional approval of your grandkids and trying not to spoil them beyond their parent’s ability to get them back into their daily routines.
Proof of our success in this endeavor came after we took Jake and Maddie back home on Sunday morning, just in time for church. Afterwards, we all went to lunch and then Linda and I headed back to our house to “unwind”, and put the toys back up.
Later in the day our daughter called to tell us that as we drove off and waved goodbye, Jake turned and looked up to her and said, “They sure are nice.” It’s one thing to know someone loves you, and quite another to know that they like you as well.
Try treating all of your adult relationships as you do a child’s relationship. Love unconditionally, stay within the guidelines of goodness, stand your ground and mind the rules. If done with sincerity, those who love you will also say: “They sure are nice.”
Mission accomplished
IBOK Enterprises - It’ll Be OK!
Reprints are welcome when credited to IBOK Enterprises and the website link below.
http://www.itllbeok.com
With Peace and Happiness,
Rick Hagler - It’ll Be OK!
“Choose to be happy, always.
Happiness is good for the soul
and the souls of others.”
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