By Nancie Carmichael –
They’re coming! Grandkids, that is. And I can’t wait. Will. Kendsy. Cali. Hogan. Pearson. Jackson. Cole. Hudson.Wesley. Annabelle. They range in ages from fifteen years to two years. I confess nothing is more fun than to have them burst in the front door and we get the hugs and smiles. My sister Kitty, who has seven grandchildren says, “Grandparents are always happy. They’re happy when their grandkids arrive, and they’re happy when they leave. So, they’re always happy!” Yes, having the kids come to visit is a lot of work, and I’m convinced God had it right when he gave us children when we’re younger; but we grandparents really have the best deal. We get to play with our grandkids. It’s just plain old fun. But, good times happen with good preparation.
Think things through. Try to anticipate what you will be doing while they are at your house. Prepare ahead of time as much as possible so that when they are with you, you can have fun. The more preparation I can do ahead of time, the better time we have.
Make places for them. Where will you have them sleep? Since we have so many—especially if they’re all here at once—we have to be flexible, but we work hard at making places for them, even if it is a mat with a sleeping bag on it. Be sure to have a few extra toothbrushes stashed away in case someone forgets theirs.
Food. Again, preparation is key. Start making a list of what you need at the grocery store. When Papa and I are here alone, we are pretty predictable and boring with our oatmeal and coffee and whole wheat bread. So, it’s good to know what the kids like, and know who has allergies to what. Jackson, our seven-year-old grandson is highly allergic to peanut butter or anything with peanuts in it, so it’s important to be aware of ingredients. Will loves clam chowder, so it goes without saying that will be on the menu.
Do as much as you can ahead of time. Whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and pop them in the freezer. I make spaghetti sauce ahead of time so all we have to do is cook the pasta. A few days before they arrive, we make sure we have cereal, juice, and milk on hand. A selection of yogurt, fresh fruit, and English muffins make breakfast tasty.
Here’s a fun idea: “Tacos in a Bag.” A friend of mine gets individual-sized bags of taco chips. She has the kids crush the chips; then she cuts the top off the bag. The kids can make their own tacos using ground beef, cheese, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, or whatever they like on their tacos. Using plastic spoons, everything is disposable. Easy and fun.
Crafts. In case you need a quiet activity or a break from cartoons, have some crafts ready. It doesn’t take a lot to mix up a batch of fun: crayons or play-doh; new coloring books; puzzles; small jars of bubbles. During the year, I check out garage sales and rummage stores for good children’s books and toys. It seems to me that if we grandparents have special things at our house for our grandchildren, it says to them: “My grandparents love me and want me. They’re making a place for me.”
Get outside! Perhaps you will have snow for the holidays, so be sure you have on hand sleds and extra mittens. Regardless where you live, there are many wonderful things to do, even such as taking a walk around the block and meeting all the neighborhood pets. If where you live is not kid-friendly, you can drive to a park, a lake; or visit a zoo, or perhaps a children’s museum.
Rest up! Make sure you have plenty of sleep and you’re in top shape to have a great time. Remember that there are lots of things you can do and make. There are countless activities you can so. But the best thing you can do is to enjoy them, and take time to listen to them. Will there be a mess? You bet. But messes clean up, and memories stay forever. It is a privilege to spend time with the ones that we treasure and the best preparation is to make room in your heart for them. Be ready for some wonderful and surprising adventures!
Nancie Carmichael graduated in 2012 from George Fox Evangelical Seminary with her MA in Spiritual Formation. She is a speaker and author of several books, including, “Lord, Bless My Child” (with her husband, Bill)“Selah—Time to Stop, Think, and Step into Your Future;” “Surviving One Bad Year—Seven Spiritual Strategies to Lead You to a New Beginning”.
Contact her at nanciecarmichael@yahoo and visit her website, nanciecarmichael.com.
Twitter: @nanawriter