There’s A Nana For That

There’s a popular slogan that Apple coined a few years ago: There’s an app for that. No matter what random thing you need, there’s an app for that. It got me thinking, that’s kind of what grandparents are for. My husband’s mother, the “Nana” in our family, has been our figurative “app.”  Whatever her grandchildren need, she’s got them covered.

Her value is pretty immeasurable. What is she good for? Let me count the ways.

Love without the baggage

Nana gets to see my children as sweet little angels. Whenever she babysits them, I get glowing reports of how good and wonderful they were. I’m like “who are these children you’re describing?” They save their best behavior for her and rarely give her any problems. I used to be completely puzzled and even a little bothered by this, because I always wondered why they couldn’t be so well behaved for me. But it actually enables her to enjoy and interact with them without it being tainted by memories of PB&J Standoffs, weekly occurrences of fake illnesses, tantrums, etc. Just pure, unsullied love without all the drama.

Spoiling

I’ll admit it. The best birthday and Christmas presents often come from Nana. My son would not have such neat toys like his train collection. And my daughter would not be nearly as fashionable if it weren’t for her grandmother. Or know the pleasure of American Girl Dolls.

But the spoiling goes way beyond material things. She and my 8 year-old bake cookies together and can disappear for hours in her room for long chats and girl gossip.  And when we lived in Ohio and my daughter would go to visit, she’d always have her favorite foods waiting for her. She got to play her favorite games. I’m sure she got to stay up a little later to watch a movie or two. And my son can get her to play and read for as long as he likes. And unlike with me, she happily shares her food with him whenever he begs, I mean asks.

That is the benefit of having breaks in between visits. The weariness of everyday life with the kids has not set in and quality time is fresh and cherished. Mom and dad have read that book 12 times in two days, played that game for a month straight and sometimes we are just over it. I’m sure Nana’s enthusiasm for such things far exceed our own most times. And the kids love it!

A Sympathetic Ear

My daughter is famous for her “whoa is me” stories to her grandmother. Usually one-sided, half-truths that make her parents look as bad as possible. I’m used to her throwing us under the bus by now. But she knows Nana will listen without judgment, comfort her and make it all better. Where else could she get this response? We know what really happened!

Keepsakes

When my 2-year-old son was born, Nana got him a very special handmade wooden rocking chair. It even has a penny with his birth year underneath it. And now our newest son has a similar chair made and waiting for him. I know he will enjoy it as much as his brother. And when they grow out of it, they will be stored away and saved for them to keep for years to come. Meaningful keepsakes. Why didn’t I think of that? I don’t think matchbox cars, Hello Kitty stuffed animals or all the other random stuff I’ve gotten them will stand the test of time like that. But that’s what Nanas are for. To think of these things.

Keeper of the Stories

Grandparents have all the dirt on the parents. They can pass down all the stories and memories that would remain forever buried otherwise. We like to forget that we too were kids and did our own silly (and naughty) things. We try to remain stoic for our children and never let our imperfections be known. But grandparents are there to blow the lid off of those little secrets. Our kids will have plenty of occasions to say to their dear father “Yeah, dad. But at least I never…”

Family History

My son sleeps with a blanket that his great-grandmother made. His father slept with it and Nana saved it and passed it to him. And when he grows out of it, his little brother will use it. She has pictures, stories and hand-me-downs that have a special history. Grandparents are the link between the past, present and future.

My kids are pretty lucky. Of course they mean the world to us and we love them more then life itself. But we also have to deal with disciplining, general parental fatigue, and the daily challenges and stresses of parenthood. And we know way too much about them to think that they are actually perfect little angels. But that’s what their grandmother is for. Their bond with her is innocent, tender, and devoid of all the other “static.” When they are with her, the sun and moon sets with them and they are the center of her universe. They have a unique relationship that they will always remember with fondness. So when they are in need of that special something that only a grandparent can provide, they always know – there’s a Nana for that.