About Me: Happineess Revisited
Grandparenthood

You Know You’re A Grandparent When…

Retirement Reflections
Being a grandparent: Charlie's first photo.
10. You stop people on the street and ask “Have you seen photos of my grandchildren? What about this one?”
Becoming a Grandparent: Cooing with a much younger Charlie
9. You speak in that cutesy-wootsy high pitched voice that is annoying to…well, everyone!
Becoming a Grandparent: Raffi
8. You become nostalgic when hearing Raffi again. (Seriously, how old is that guy now?)
Becoming a Grandparent: Jordyn at Window
7. You get to revist many of the ‘firsts’ and remember how miraculous they are!
Becoming a Grandparent: Charlie and Toys
6. Rules? What Rules?
Becoming a Grandparent: Charlie with Drums
5. When shopping, you always find something that your grandchildren absolutely must have. (Case in point, Rolling Stones t-shirt, and drum kit….although Charlie’s parents may not exactly agree about him ‘needing’ the drums!)
Becoming a Grandparent: Grandpa and Jordyn looki' cool!
4. Suddenly you’re cool again (at least in the eyes of your YOUNG grandchildren!)
Becoming a Grandparent: Charlie on his way to daycare, bus card in hand!
3. Boasting. It’s a grandparent’s right. Enough said.
Being a Grandparent: Cuddle time with Jordyn.
2. You know that there is nothing better than cuddle time…..Except for maybe naptime!
Being a Grandparent: Selfie with baby Jordyn.
1. Selfies and ‘Instagram’ have taken on a whole new meaning!

If you are a grandparent, what are your tell-tale signs?

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

36 thoughts on “You Know You’re A Grandparent When…”

    1. Hi, Liesbet – We are very fortunate to live close enough to our grandchildren to enjoy regular bonding time. Being fully retired helps with that too. Thanks for commenting.

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  3. I’m not a grandmother yet, nor do I think I will be any time soon. However, this post sums up every grandmother and their experience that I know ❤
    Love the photos!
    … and yes, Raffi!! I think I could still sing along – not that you'd want me to, but the words are deeply engrained after SO MUCH REPETITION!!

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    1. Hi, Joanne – Yes, I swear I can still sing Raffi tunes backwards…and recite Dr. Seuss by heart! I am glad that they are still among children’s favorites!

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    1. Thanks, Janis – Richard and I are greatly enjoying being grandparents and are looking forward to continued special times ahead.

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  5. Adorable grandchildren! Yes being a grandparent is very special…..wait till they are about three…I think that was when it happened! Coming out of security at the airport and he came running into my arms, big hug and kiss! Still to this day remember that feeling…..very special!💕💕 enjoy them!

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  6. Technically I’m not a grandparent (wonderful step grandkids on the other side of the country that I see maybe once a year) but you have captured the full meaning of the word.

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    1. Thanks, Kate – I think that being a grandparent of any form is an incredible blessing. I am grateful that our grandchildren are not far away. We do have a son currently living in Singapore so being long-distance grandparents definitely could become a reality for us.

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  7. Awww, so cute!!! I worked with a woman who talked about her grandchildren nonstop. I’m not kidding. Her cubicle was near mine so as you can imagine, it got old 40 hours a week!!! Mostly from it, though, I gathered that she was way up in her children’s business. I wouldn’t have wanted to be her daughter-in-law!

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    1. Too funny! That must have been painful! Our grandchildren each live 2 hours and 4.5 hours away, so hopefully, my sons and daughter-in-laws will not say the same thing about me! 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie. I greatly appreciate it.

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  10. Oh your grandchildren are so cute Donna and they bring such joy. I agree with Fran I love being a grandparent more than a parent – perhaps because we have more time to enjoy them. A beautiful post and yes I agree with all 10 points but I think cuddle time is my favourite.

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    1. Hi, Sue – Cuddle time is the best, isn’t it?! Once I got going, I actually could have listed more ‘signs’ of being a grandparent. I decided to stop at ten points…or I might still be writing! Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

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    1. Hi, Terri – Thank you for your kind words. For years I asked for ‘grandchildren’ for Christmas…but Santa did not deliver until our eldest was 38. It was well worth the wait!

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    1. Hi, Kristin – Thanks for stopping by and for commenting. Isn’t wonderful when our children and our parents connect into their own special relationships? I LOVE watching that!

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    1. Hi, Renee – Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad that you agree with my tell-tale signs of Grand-parenting. I am off to read your site now.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your wonderful post at #OverTheMoon. I look forward to what you will share next week! Like someone in person today! We hope you’ll come back again next Sunday when we open our doors at 6:00 PM EST. Pinned and tweeted!

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  16. Oh my goodness, you sound like me in #10. I recall once when I was in Toys R Us and the lady at the checkout asked was I shopping for a grandbaby. I said yes and then pulled out my mini photo album full of pics. I told my daughter about it and she was like – “Really mom, strangers do not want to hear about how crazy your are about your grandbaby nor do they want to see pics, especially when you’re in the checkout line!” Well, I had to inform my daughter that she had no idea what she was talking about 🙂 Love your sweet pics Donna of your precious babies. Thank you for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared your post.

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  17. Donna, Your grandchildren are precious and the pictures of you with them are touching. I know the feeling…my grandchildren are on each coast and being a bi-coastal grandparent is not easy. Fortunately, they live in great places to visit and I’m on my way to Charleston, SC to babysit for a week. Looking forward to it.

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    1. Hi, Joe – Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I greatly appreciate it. We are lucky to have our Grandchildren live just a couple hours drive away. We know that that may not last forever, so we are taking full advantage of it while we can!

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  18. We are looking forward to being closer to our grandchildren soon. Unfortunately, they live at a distance from each other, but at least we’ll be back in the same province they all are in. Now we just need to sell our house and move….

    Jude

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    1. I am looking forward to your move as well (as you will now be very close by). It will be fun to be able to share ‘grandchildren stories’…amongst other things! I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon.

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