The
kids are real excited. It's Grandparents Day in a few days and this will be the
first time they will be staying over at their grandparents' place without us. The
two grand generations love spending time together, but the kids have never
stayed over. In fact as I said at the beginning, the kids are excited, but much
more than them, the grandparents are excited and nervous. Yes, nervous. After
having brought us all up, our kids make them nervous!
The
kids were wondering what to gift them for Grandparents Day. Needless to say, we have been
talking a lot about this. I like to categorize the gifts thus:
1. A
gift of time
In
this age of being busy, time is of enormous importance. As we get busy with our
working lives, we sometimes get too busy to keep in regular touch with our
parents. But once we have kids, we must make time and get our kids to spend
time with their grandparents. The mutual bond of love is strong. This simple
gift of time, where grandparents can spend time with their grand kids is priceless. I recall the wonderfully warm times I spent with my grandparents. It's the warm safe place I go to, when I am
stressed out. This stay over with the grandparents on their own is a gift of
time which both the kids and their grandparents will cherish, but the grandparents will adore.
2.
A gift of play
After
reading about games
from foreign shores, I was talking to the kids about games they had not heard
of. In fact I was telling them about games we had played as a child, which are
now almost forgotten. They got very excited and spoke to their grandparents
about games
they played as a kid. This sleepover, they have planned to teach the
grandparents how to play online games,
while the grandparents teach them games they played while growing up. This gift
of play, will not be forgotten easily by the grandparents and I am wondering if the grandparents will turn into gamers!
3.
A gift of shared activity
Sometimes
it's amazing to see the number of activities my kids enjoy with the
grandparents, be it gardening, cooking or painting. Even before going over they have planned activities for everyday.
Gran is going to teach them how to make a tie and dye shirt while grandpa has
promised teach them how to set up a tire swing. I am now dreading the time when
the kids will want to make a tie and dye T-shirt once they are back, though my grandma
had taught me and I still have the old t-shirt as a keepsake!
4.
A gift of remembering them
This
is a gift we can give grandparents throughout the year - a gift of remembering
them through out the year, not just on Grandparents Day. They love it when the
kids call and chat with them. Sometimes the grandparents call just to ask them
about school or a school trip. It is amazing to see the animation on the kids'faces when they chat. I know for sure the grandparents love getting these phone
calls - they love being remembered - my parents have vocalized it many time.
These
are my gift ideas - what are yours? Do share.
