by Tina Shaw
Editor and Publisher
The Single Parent Bible
www.singleparentbible.com.au

We have Grandma visiting at the moment and the Z Man (my four year old) is wriggling himself inside out with all of the attention.  Isn’t it funny how a seemingly normal mild

Now I’m not saying that Z has an unhealthy interest in his grandmother, but when you only see your grandparents a couple of times a year, they tend to take on Rock Star status.  Grandma’s visits bring presents for no reason, lollies just because and take away food because you can. 

A little relaxing of routine and my little fella is not only throwing himself at the Grandma in question, but is giving me the ‘talk to the hand’ treatment.  “Excuse me mummy, but my Grandma is talking to me.  Grandma is reading me the story.  Grandma is sitting beside me mummy.  I want Grandma to give me a bath.  Grandma, Grandma, Grandma!”  I guess I could take the disgruntled disregarded parent route, or I could breathe a deep sigh of relief and take a well earned breather.

While Z struts around and plays the flamboyant Mick Jagger to his adoring groupie, I will be on a plane to Barbados, with a cocktail in one hand and another one in the other.  Ah, only in my dreams…  

The moral of this story, is to recognise the important factor Grandparents play in our children’s lives and also in ours.  Take the Grandparent 'visit opportunity' and relax some of the rules and actually take care of you for a change.  It’s wonderful for our children to play and learn and laugh with their Grandparents, without parental interference – just like we did when we were kids.  They need to form a relationship that is uniquely theirs.  It’s hard to step back and let go (believe me I know), but in the long run it really is a good thing for both your children and you.

Read more from this writer at www.singleparentbible.com.au.