Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A new routine

The soccer season begins tonight. My grandson has his first practice. For me, that is the signal. Summer is effectively over. School begins here on the 27th. Changes in routine. Not long before dance classes begin again either. Labor day coming up and Halloween not far behind. It is all going so fast. Whoa ! How can that be ?
Grandma has been getting the kids off to school since pre-school days. Walking them to the bus through wind,rain,sleet and snow. Through extreme cold and heat. This year Mark will be going to the bus,alone. Leaving earlier than previous years and catching the bus at the end of the street where he lives. No more coming to Grandmas' house in the morning. No more Grandma walking to the bus stop and keeping him company. No more Grandma making sure he has everything.
His sister Morgan will still be coming to Grandmas' in the morning. So it is not cold turkey for Grandma. I'm betting Morgan will feel a little sad though. She has ridden the bus with her brother every day she has gone to school. The occasions when Mark was not with her have been very few. It will be a big adjustment for her.
This school year will be altogether different. The kids are uncomfortable and so are we. All the usual and familiar routines disrupted. Anxious is the best way to describe it. We are all anxious. Parents and Kids anxious and Grandparents topping the list ! Grandparents definitely get more anxious and concerned than parents do. After all, parents aren't anything but big kids themselves ! At least that is the way I see it. This is serious business.
No one ever told me being a Grandparent was this emotionally draining. You have to constantly monitor the situation. It is not easy being the go between. The stand between the realities of life and time and cushion and prepare the Grandchildren. Their parents have their own ideas on how to raise them. You have to consider that, I suppose. Grandparents know better, but you can't tell them that. Parents think they know. And then you have to let the kids make some choices for themselves. Why they don't just listen and follow your advice I'll never understand. Have I ever led them wrong ? I don't think so. Life isn't about being in style or being cool. And the music I listen too is the best kind of music. Movies rated above "G" are probably just trash. Why the greatest movies of all time are rated ' G ". Just sayin'.
I can't wait for all this to pass. I know it will and a new normal will emerge. A new routine. But it is taking a toll.   

No comments:

Post a Comment