This is what my weekend looked like. This is what the entire month of June may end up looking like! Good Lord a person can accumulate a bunch of stuff! I thought I would have a yard sale when all was said and done but I've decided I'm just going to donate to "goodwill" that which can be recycled and toss the rest into the "hopper." The end.
I am still not at ease moving away from my grandsons, I'm trying but it's not getting any easier. I feel somewhat selfish making this move because it is for me and me alone. Granted, I am bringing my boys along, only one of which has to go (he's 15 yrs. old), the other two have decided to come along on their own but this move is simply to make my life easier, less stressful. I need a place of peace, a slower pace so that I can tap into all of the energy necessary to beat this cancer - again. It almost killed me the last go 'round and I have to be on my toes. I know this. In the meantime I have children and grandchildren to think of and I suppose what upsets me the most is the fact that I feel like for the first time in their lives I'm putting myself before my children but I'm not really, that wasn't my intent. I just have to get better so I can continue tending to them, being with them.. I hope one day they understand.
When I became "MiMi" I made a promise to myself to never do to my grandchildren what I watched my Mother doing to hers. "Don't sit there, don't touch that, come back in here, don't go in that room, stay inside, stay out of the kitchen, I'll get it.." Etc., etc. My Mother was not your typical "warm fuzzy" Grandma and as a result neither my children, nor my nieces and nephews ever enjoyed their visit to Grandma's and went only to see their Papa. My Mother had/has favorites - one of her grandson's and his children, period. She's really not interested in anyone else. My nephew is aware that he is singled out/favored and he doesn't like it. He doesn't want to put a wedge between himself, his brothers and his cousins, and there isn't one. His brothers and cousins are okay with it. They know how Grandma is and they're fine with it. Since their Papa (my Dad) passed away she hasn't had many visitors and now complains that she has been put on the back burner. Interestingly enough where she has put everyone else..
In any event, I vowed not to be that kind of Grandma and I'm not but my grandson is now to the age where is knows basic right from wrong and I'm trying to teach him what is acceptable in "MiMi's" home versus what is not. I am teaching with love but am having difficulty with disciplining him when he does not behave appropriately, i.e., throwing food to the dog, getting into "MiMi's" jewelry, etc. My son has a time out chair for my grandson but I am reluctant to use it.
Just wondering if anyone else faces this issue. I welcome and am open to all suggestions, so fire away!
Very shortly I will be moving 4 hours away from both of my grandsons. Inside I feel like I am moving to the moon. Any suggestions and/or advice as to how to deal with "grandchildren withdrawal?"
Today I was blessed to be able to spend some time with my daughter Erica and her lit'l boy Aidan. What a wonderful time we had playing and talking and exploring around outside. Erica and Aidan both are such joys to be around, always up beat, happy and playful. I don't get as much "MiMi" time with Aidan as I do with my other grandson, due to visitation and custody issues (Aidan was born of our hearts, my daughter's fiance' brought him into the family), so I really cherish our time together. Today was a gift, perfect in every way.
Aidan discovering a "secret passageway" thru the flowering bushes... I have no idea what this bush is called? Any gardeners out there care to enlighten me? I would love to know!
