A New Day, A New Feeling

“There are no words to describe the happiness in holding your baby’s baby.”

– Unknown

The arrival of that first Grandchild! I still remember it almost 40 years later; it is awesome with an extra dose of AWE!

I still remember experiencing an entirely new kind of Love and Joy. I considered it a promotion I was unsure I was ready for. As I reflect, I was not prepared for it. In short order, I began to realize that there was some real responsibility that came with this little bundle. This was a new ball game, and I had to step up my game.

Especially when I realized that today’s Grandparents aren’t your Grandparents Grandparents. What may have worked in the past may be near the same, but near is not good enough for MY first Grandchild or, for that matter, all those that followed. In the ensuing four decades, I have learned so much, and I am a better person for it.

In my work with estranged Grandparents, I have come to learn that a fair amount of the troubles started with doing it the old way when the Grandparents weren’t as considerate of the parents during a highly emotional and sleep-deprived time of their lives. We now know that resentments from that time built up and manifested in anger and estrangement later.