What was your relationship with your grandparents as a child? How does it impact

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   K. Burns Darlingposted 13 years ago

   What was your relationship with your grandparents as a child? How does it impact your adult life?
   
   Were you close to your grandparents? Did you see them often, or only during vacations? Were you closer to one set than the other? Closer to your grandmother or your grandfather?  What long term effects has your relationship with a  grandparent or grandparents had upon you?

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   Eddie-Perkinsposted 13 years ago

   My best childhood memories are of the times I spent with my granddad – so much so that I've written a hub in honor of Granddad. In hindsight I began thinking about why certain people stood out in my memory while others did not. I came to the truth that they simply loved me. From that realization I determined that it wasn’t toys, but love that would make the difference for a child.

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   einronposted 13 years ago

   As a child I only knew my maternal grandmother because she came to live with us when my uncle married.  She was a very wise woman for she knew that mother in law and daughter in law seldom get amicably together, so she rather live with us than in her own house.
   
   Grandma was the first Christian in the family, and was loved by the family and the church.  She helped many relatives and the poor Indian members in the church.  When my brother Paul was 11 months old, he contracted  diphtheria and was told by the doctor that the disease was far too gone and that he could not do anything more for him.  Grandma brought some of the Indian members some to pray for my brother.  My mother vowed she would believe if my brother survived.  After 3 days of prayer, my brother was well and we became Christians.
   
   Pray the Lord.

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   Hyphenbirdposted 13 years ago

   I adored my grandparents on both sides and still remember them fondly. I still miss them also.

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   ThePracticalMommyposted 13 years ago

   When I was born, all four of my grandparents, five of my great grandparents, and my nona, my great-great grandmother, were all still alive. As I grew up, my grandparents, three of my great-grandparents and my great-great grandmother were always around.
   Knowing my 'greats' was such a blessing. My great-great grandmother, though she knew very little English, taught me that with hard work and a healthy lifestyle, one can live a long, happy life. She died when she was 101! Of my great-grandparents, I was closest to my grandmother's father. He was a gruff, serious man, but he had a soft spot for me. He taught me to love to read and to follow my heart. He was one of few people who encouraged me to be a teacher.
   
   Three of my grandparents are still alive and ever present in my life. They are all thrilled now to be great-grandparents to my children. It's so exciting to see the cycle happening all over again!

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   sir_tallestposted 13 years ago

   truth be told....i hardly see mine and when she calls she just specks with my mom and they are through....we kind of didn't grow around her so a relationship was really not built.......but i am trying to build one how.... visiting her as much as possible

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   onegoodwomanposted 13 years ago

   I was brought up by my Grandparents, primarily by one set, but all were heavily involved..........loved them dearly..........their deaths were each a great and overwhelming loss.......
   
   
   Today, they have been gone for most of life.........still, they are the yardstick, by which I measure myself.......They had that much impact!

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   lavender3957posted 13 years ago

   This is a wonderful question of memory. I have very fond memories of my grandparents of both sides. Always close to all of them. I miss them so much as each has passed on. I am now a grandmother myself and I find myself giving my grand kids the love and wonderful times that I remember when I was young. This question brought tears to my eyes remembering the most fantastic times I had with all of my grand parents.

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   Dawn Conklinposted 13 years ago

   I was always closer to my Mom's parents.  My Dad's side of the family was not so close and for many reasons I have not really got the chance to get to know them well.  As a little kid I vaguely remember going to my Dad's Mom's house on Christmas and I remember going to my Dad's Dad's house a few times as well.  They seemed very nice but there was always a lot of tension since they were not all close and there was a lot of things that were between the family.
   
   My Mom's parents on the other hand were very close to the whole family.  I remember going to my Mom's Mom's house on Sunday mornings for a nice breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa! I spent many times there and it was a very loving place to be.  A lot of fun memories. Both were greatly missed when they passed away.  My Mom's Dad passed away when I was still a child but her Mom lived to see 97.  She got to meet my older daughter before she passed.  I spent many days off visiting her as an adult.
   
   Not sure exactly how the relationships have effected my adult life but the one thing I think about often is a regret for not getting to know my Dad's Mom a little better once I became an adult.  I think she would have enjoyed meeting my daughters but unfortunately before I decided to let whatever feelings stopped me from seeing her, she passed away.  It has taught me that life can be too short.  Not sure what kept me from seeing her, I rarely saw her as a kid (even tho she lived less then an hour away) and there was always tension in the whole family on Dad's side.

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    Lynn S. Murphyposted 13 years ago

    I was always closer to my mom's parents. We adored each other and I would really love to be that kind of grandparent to mine, however, distance is a factor.

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    prektjr.dcposted 13 years ago

    I lived next door to my maternal grandparents and they were my best friends.  My heart broke the day my Grampa died.  I was 8.  My Granny lived many more years and was here for my daughter's birth.  I was never more pleased than when she held her and said, "welcome to our family dear one."  Today, my kitchen is in apples and Coca-cola (Grampa's favorites) and I never fail to welcome a new family member with Granny's words.  They taught me love, honesty and great faith.  I am proud to carry those traits on with me.
    
    My paternal grandparents lived only blocks away and were often too busy for me.  I remember sitting in their garden and eating a skirt full of strawberries.  From them I carried forth the wisdom to never be too busy for a child and the dedication to work hard and be true to your word.  All good.
    
    As a grandparent, I feel such responsibility and such freedom.  It is a special relationship that gives us the ability to be totally honest with a child and little repercussion!  They may roll their eyes, but I don't get the foot stomping exits that a Mom or Dad might receive!  I can tell them all the secret ways to make their parent smile (or wince) and I can spoil them without having to worry about the damage it may cause.  I have lived long enough to know there is no damage from spoiling!   
    
    Good question!  Good memories are always a welcome visit!

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    mandyfposted 13 years ago

    I have always been close to my grandparents. They always had hugs available and also stern when need be. The simple fact that I seen them everyday has impacted my life by having a close relationship with my own children and looking forward to having grandchildren so that I might be able to live up to at least half the people they are and were.

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