I’m in awe of grandmas who can juggle multiple sets of grandchildren, especially if the grandchildren live in different parts of the world. How do you divide yourself among them?
Until last week, my juggling act consisted of two granddaughters who are 11 and 7 years old. They live about a two-hour drive away and we’ve been faithfully visiting twice a month since they were born. I put so much energy into being “Baba” for the first one, I didn’t see how I could possibly split myself between the two of them. But I’ve made a conscious effort, with helpful reminders from my daughter, to give them equal attention whenever I’m with them or talking to them on the phone. I focus on their special unique qualities and never compare them to each other.
Last week my juggling act got more complicated. While the two girls were staying with us, my third granddaughter was born. And I’m “gaga” all over again! She and her parents live an hour’s plane ride away. She’s one week old and I haven’t met her yet! I already feel like I’m neglecting her because I wasn’t present at her birth. Our first introduction was via Skype and in just a few days I’ll fly down to meet her in person.
I have to keep reminding myself that we can’t keep score or feel that we have to do the exact same things for each grandchild. Otherwise, we’ll make ourselves crazy. My two older granddaughters know how much I love them and I know that my new granddaughter will too.
