Years ago, I took a
class at Community College. At that time, my kids were all in school and I
think I was seeing the future – ‘The
Empty Nest’ syndrome and it scared me. Yes, I was afraid of the emptiness,
especially with having nine children around, all in close age. Little did I
know that I wouldn’t need to have a formal Day Care and I wouldn’t need to be
accredited by the state?
I have been watching
grandchildren from the time I watched my oldest granddaughter, who is now 20.
Sometimes, I would have one or two babies around. At one time, I even watched
three of my grandchildren at once with the babies being one month apart. It was
like a flash back to my old days when I had twins, each in their own baby seat,
me in the middle feeding them their bottles at the same time. Now, I was doing
it with my little granddaughters.
Despite the chaos of my
old life…looking back at it I realized that it was the most joyful part of my
life….babies and children. Now I get to enjoy it all over again with my
grandchildren!
Once again, my house is
still set up from when I had little kids…lots of toys and books, a high chair,
and baby seat. Unfortunately, about 2 months ago, my crib was taken down. My
daughter gave me her Pack-n-Play for a place to put down a little grandchild
for a nap. But, I have enough beds for the older grandchildren, a toy room
filled with toys, lots of paper and coloring books with crayons, paints and
brushes, board games, doll houses and dolls, garages, farms, a zoo, tiny cars
and the biggest life saver – Playdough!
My back yard has a
basketball court to play or ride some of the toys and the big wheel on it. I
also have a swing set, hammock, and a small playhouse.
Yep…I might not be on
the states radar to watch kids but I am on my kids’ radar to watch the
grandchildren.
