On becoming grand parents.

The birth of a grandchild is a very happy occasion for the grandparents, more than, when they had their own children. Even parents cannot decipher the pleasure and succour of the grandparents when they first see the child. They are on seventh Heaven. The grandparents can teach them many good things. The best babysitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You can feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods. Some daughter-in-laws don’t trust their mother-in –laws. They have a maid, who is instructed to keep an eye on the grandma. This is very ridiculous.  A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his  grandparents will never know what is pure love.  I spoke to a lady recently, who was not at all on good terms with her mother-in-law. Before leaving for office, she would advice her three year old daughter to keep an eye on Dadi. In such cases law of natural justice gives them the same treatment that they give to the elderly.The child’s natural instinct is to be with grandma instead of the maid.If the grandparents are staying with their children, they are their natural teachers. They tell the children stories from ancient history, culture and mythology. The child thus has a wider perspective of living. They even give the children healthy and wholesome food, thereby ensuring that the children do not get crazy for junk food. The influence of the grandparents is, that  the children learn to be tolerant. Under the influence of maids children pick up colloquial language, which is full of slangs. In the company of grand parents a child learn to speak  softly and modestly, they acquire good manners. My elder granddaughter, as a small child used to sleep with us. Though there was a separate bed for her, she would come and lie down between me and my husband and coax him to tell stories. My husband used to tell her stories from scriptures and all religions. Today, she is in her mid twenties and is well versed in stories from all religions.

If the grand parents are staying in a separate house, it is the duty of the parents that they must allow their children to spend time in their company during their vacations. Not only the children, but also the grandparents have a good time with their grandhildren. The children gain self confidence. The grandparents inculcate good habits in a child. Since they have all the time in the world they teach them good manners, humility, give and take, table manners, how to behave with outsiders. The three ‘Rs’ today have a different meaning. They aim to empower the children to be Righteous, Responsible and Reverent.

Written for Sarah  Day 6  #30DBBC