LDS GrandParenting – Visiting Grandchildren Frequently

It has almost been a week, since my return from Texas to visit my grandchildren.  I already miss them… their sweet faces, big hugs, and endless giggles.  Going back and forth from that world, to my own – is like night and day!  I had such a lovely time, as I observed each one of my grandchildren, and how they are growing in so many ways.

As an LDS GrandParent, I feel almost an urgency to see my grandchildren as frequently as possible.  I have kind of an unwritten little guideline, that I use for making sure that this grandma, gets in plenty of visits with her grandchildren.  I refer to it as the “more than three months is too long” rule.  Papa is quite well aware of my scheduling the grandkids philosophy.  Somehow -some way, I have been quite good at manipulating visits with all of my grandchildren, using this “rule”, – so far.  Let me share a few of my reasons for being such a manipulative grandparent…

Reasons to Have Frequent Visits with Grandchildren:

1. I’m just selfish.  I love those little people so much, that I simply cannot stand – to not see them growing, and know for myself who they are becoming.  Our grandchildren, particularly when they are small, change almost daily.
2. I want them to know Nana.  I want them to know, the silly lady who talks to them on the phone.  I want my grandchildren to know that I love them!  I want my grandchildren to know, that they are a priority in their grandmother’s life.  I want to be able to tell them face-to-face, that they are the most important little people, to me, in the whole wide world!
3. I have so much to tell them. I want to be there so that I can help support their parents, in teaching them righteous principles.  I know how important this kind of support, from an LDS GrandParent can be.
4. I have a desire to create relationships with my grandchildren, that have the power to influence their lives for good.  I know that this is an investment of time, which is an investment that I want to make.

Sometimes these important visits with the grandchildren, are had at Nana and Papa’s house.  Other grandma visits necessitate either driving a little ways, or getting on an airplane, and traveling to another State.

My other theory for ensuring frequent visits, is the “any which way I can” theory.  I know that many other LDS GrandParents are just as committed to visiting their grandchildren as well.

On this most recent trip to Texas, where I was able to spend two weeks with my daughter and her family, I took frequent opportunities to make sure that my grandchildren know, just how much I love them. I had the privilege of taking over the bedtime rituals with the grandchildren, while mom and dad were away for a few nights.  Following family prayer on the floor of the bedroom, and tucking them gently into their beds – brought about special time for telling them where they came from, who they are, and about our special eternal family.

These grandchildren knew their stuff, and I was grateful for the opportunity and blessing, to bear my testimony of these truths – taught by their own parents; that this was indeed, reality.

Now I am back home again, reflecting on these precious moments.  I exercise faith, daily – that just as my own grandmother was able to instill eternal truths and plant them deep within my heart – that I, too, will be able to do so with my own grandchildren.

As an LDS GrandParent, I am continually aware of the covenant relationship that we have with our grandchildren.  Our work, is His work…

tDMg

LdsNana

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