Who’d have thought it would be so much more fun the second time?

Becoming a parent was pretty easy really. I was young and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Even the births were pretty much standard fair and barely interrupted our social lives. The hard part was the next 20 years of child rearing. At times boarding school seemd a viable option. Learning as I went and wondering what scars I was leaving which would later require therapy in their 30s. Surprisingly, they seem just fine – and now with children of their own I watch and listen to the love and laughter as they start their own families. May be I wasn’t too bad a mum after all. Grand-parenting, on the other hand, is so much less stressful. I don’t care that Mr 2 leaves toys all over the lounge room floor or doesn’t eat all his veges – he is too cute to be cross with. Having said that, as I only had 2 children of my own who arrived 2 years apart, my first trip to the city on the train with three brand new step-grandchildren was just a little terrifying. I only had 2 hands (and I was carrying parcels), what if I lost one! How would I explain that to my about to be daughter-in-law. This time I am taking the time to notice their skills development, enjoy their personalities and the general mess of children in my house – besides they go home in a few hours. 🙂

It’s been an interesting journey – and there is more to come.

Visit my blog “On Being a Grandmother”