I am a mother of three and grandmother of four. In fact, my second daughter gave birth to baby Josiah just two weeks ago. I’ve had the awesome blessing of being here with my daughter and her family for the last 14 days, hip deep in both mothering and “grandmothering!”
Since I’ve had plenty of experience with both roles, I’ve been doing some comparison recently. Which is better, being a mother or a grandmother? I’ve decided that although being a mom is awesome, being a grandmother is even better!
Here are 6 reasons why:
- Grandmothers get to sleep at 3am – I took the “first shift” last night. After my daughter fed Josiah about 9pm, I sent her off to bed. Then I kept him with me until he was ready to eat again. She got 2 ½ hours solid sleep. I got to watch his sweet face. When I took him in to her at 11:45, I went to bed and slept until 6am!
- Grandmothers get to go home – In a few days I’ll go home. I will sleep all night and go to the bathroom when I want to. Then, when I can’t stand it anymore, I’ll come back.
- Grandmothers get to see their husbands turn to mush – Men usually get “softer” the older they get. They seem to be “tenderized” by age and life experience. My husband was – and is – a great dad, but something about his grandfathering is different. It’s lighter, sillier even. I love seeing my husband this way.
- Grandmothers get to have more fun – Even though I discipline, bathe, and feed the grandchildren, those things are not my main responsibility. That’s their mom’s job. My prime directive is simply to be with them. To rock and read books and play Rescue Bots and build Legos and make cookies.
- Grandmothers get to pass a spiritual legacy – Yes, I know, moms and dads do this too. But there is something special about the faith of our grandparents. It has stood the test of time. It has been shaped and refined by life experiences, leaving something uniquely valuable and precious. They sense the “realness” of it. I want my faith to impact my grandchildren. I long to point them Godward with everything I say and do.
- Grandmothers get to see their daughters be mothers (or sons be dads) – Our two daughters have both become mothers and I’ve watched their transformation from a front row seat. In addition to learning the routine tasks like feeding and sleep schedules, I’ve witnessed them both bloom as nurturers, fierce and passionate about the small souls God has placed in their care. Their role change has also changed our relationship. These beautiful young women who so confidently left the nest and made independent lives for themselves, need and want their mom (me!) again in a new way. I get to walk beside them down this road of motherhood, encouraging and helping along the way.
So, although I love being a mom, I think being a grandmother is even better. If you are a young mom, rejoice in knowing that “mothering” doesn’t end when your chicks leave home. If you’re a grandmother, embrace your role with joy!
Please share your thoughts with us! In your experience, how is “grandmothering” even better than “mothering?”
Kathy encourages women to live an unshakeable faith for life by standing firm on our rock-solid God no matter the circumstances. The author of six books, Kathy also has a Masters in Christian Education. She has taught the Bible for over 25 years and speaks regularly at women’s events.
Kathy and her husband live in the Houston area. They have three children, two sons-in-law, and one grandson. Find out more and get discipleship tools and leader helps at her website: www.kathyhoward.org.
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