Last Friday my husband, Seth, walked through our front door clutching a baby carrier in one hand, and dragging a bassinet with the other. The strap of a 20-pound diaper bag was sliding off his shoulder.
Our first grandson, Cayden Phillip, had arrived for his first visit. For helpless individuals with no muscle tone, babies certainly come with a lot of luggage.
Later in the evening (as all whopping 5 pounds of him snuggled in my arms) it occurred to me that there are a few differences between having kids and having grandkids.
And it seems that most of the differences are positive.
1. It doesn’t hurt to give birth to a grandbaby. That thought came to me as I sat comfortably on the couch holding the baby. With Cayden, I simply hung out at the hospital with my daughter-in-law Courtney, and a few hours later BAM! we had a little guy with some Timmons DNA. Giving birth to your own children is the equivalent of sitting on a grenade, and for about six weeks after the birth of my sons, I preferred my very special inflatable donut over my husband Seth.
2. Cayden Phillip is not particularly interested in my breasts, as they have no nutritional value. For the first year of their lives, my own sons saw me as a giant, squishy, ever-ready, pre-warmed bottle. I think their first word was a reference to that body part, rather than “momma.” Cayden looks at my face, and seems to genuinely like me, wrinkles and all.
3. Grandkids don’t keep you awake at night. I don’t even hear the little guy across the 20-mile chasm between us. I am not experiencing any noticeable fatigue, and I don’t appear haggard. My son, however, does appear exhausted and haggard, and it makes me appreciate the phrase “sweet revenge.”
4. You don’t actually reap what you sow with grandkids. Instead, their parents reap what you sow – so you can spoil them shamelessly and enjoy it.
5. I rarely smell like baby spit-up. Our trash is less than 1% dirty diapers.
6. Rocking my sons to sleep in the middle of the night was sometimes excruciating. Funny, it is a pleasure 100% of the time with the grandbaby ... it might be related to the frequency of the occurrence?
There are, of course, a few similarities between having kids and having grandkids.
You still have strong ideas about how they should be raised. Seth was prepared for that tendency, and purchased a muzzle for me before Cayden was born, which keeps my barking and snarling to a minimum.
You still worry about them, because in an extended sort of way, they are your own.
And above all, you can’t stop sniffing their little grapefruit-sized head, because you still love that baby smell.
Theresa Timmons’ column, “Home Delivery” appears every other Friday. She is an Elwood resident and can be reached at paperflinger40@yahoo.com.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
Theresa Timmons: Perks of grandmotherhood include 'sweet revenge'
- Columns
-
-
Amish Cook: Trip to replace broken stove allows for family visit
We were glad for the warmer weather last week. Our house didn’t have heat from Wednesday until Saturday morning because the glass on our Hitzer coal stove broke.
-
Susan Miller: Minds made better thanks to lists
Not all lists are created equal. Indeed, there is an art and a science to list crafting.
-
Primus Mootry: Challenge for black leaders in 21st century? Lessons of past
The black experience in America can roughly be divided into five main periods including the slave trade and slavery itself; emancipation (or the end of slavery) and Reconstruction; the Jim Crow era; the Great Migration; and the civil rights era.
-
Jim Bailey: Kids play basketball, but some adults prefer basketbrawl
We’ve heard all too much about the failings of today’s youth. Methinks the blame in most cases is misplaced. Like father like son? Perhaps, which reinforces my point.
-
Jesse Wilkerson: What example should we follow?
In our lifetime we have witnessed real life success stories. We have also seen real life failures. We have witnessed men and women who have achieved success in one area, but failed miserably in others.
-
Emmett Dulaney: The tragedy of the insurance commons
In basic economics, students often hear of the concept of “the tragedy of the commons.” In overly simplistic terms, this is a situation in which many individuals share a limited resource.
-
John Rosemond: Taxpayers are catching on to education fads
The media recently reported “new” research findings to the effect that rewards often backfire and self-esteem is not the wonderful, uplifting personal attribute once thought.
-
Scott Underwood: Introducing THB reporters
We at The Herald Bulletin last week were pleased to add a veteran reporter to our newsroom staff. Stu Hirsch, formerly of The Indianapolis Star, joined our team midweek and his byline was already appearing by Friday.
-
Maleah Stringer: Lyla and Cuddles find happy homes
Every animal who comes to the Animal Protection League matters and deserves compassionate and humane treatment. They deserve our effort.
-
Theresa Timmons: An opinion on couponers
I try to avoid opinions, mainly because I am the only female in my house and I am not really allowed to have them.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Amish Cook: Trip to replace broken stove allows for family visit
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
