The grandparent diaries
Over60 community member, Carolyn Le-Grand, from Wangi Wangi in New South Wales shares her thoughts on the special place three little grandkids play in her life.
“Grandkids are our future. I remember when I was growing up spending every holiday at my grandparents’ farm. These trips are indelibly imprinted on my mind and I want my grandkids to have happy memories of their grandparents and special experiences which hopefully will stay in their memories forever.
Grandchildren will too quickly grow and have other priorities, as we did, so we want to grab every moment we can to form a lasting close relationship with them. I have three grandchildren – Crystal, 13, Nikita, 11 and Vance, five. Just some of the special memories I’ve had with them are:
- My little grandson Vance asked me who I was speaking to and I told him it was my friend Heather from Tasmania. His little eyes lit up and he smiled. He then asked if Tasmania was real. I told him it was and he said, “I knew it! So it is real?” “Yes Vance.” I said, “and I can take you there someday if you like”. Vance was beside himself with a smug look on his face. He couldn’t stop talking about it and asking when I would take him. It turned out that he thought Tasmania was Transylvania! He also had things a bit confused and thought Transylvania was where dinosaurs came from. When my friend Heather heard this she sent him a huge blow-up dinosaur, which only confirmed his suspicions! (Still wanting to go to Tasmania).
- The special times of passing along my skills to my granddaughters – teaching them to sew, cook and garden.
- Recently I bought the grandchildren some special vegetable seeds to grow. To keep their interest and ensure they tended the vegetable garden I bought seeds for the biggest pumpkin in the world (has grown to 1385lb but 22 to 44kg are more common), giant tomatoes (grow to three kilograms each) and the little grandson some colourful spaceship shape squash. The seeds are all up and about to be transplanted to their garden. They are all excited and waiting to see what they can grow! It will be interesting to see the outcome.
- Lying in bed with grandchildren and telling them stories from my childhood. This lead to me writing a book of little stories from my past to hand down to future generations.
- I am currently assisting my granddaughter Nikita with her inventions! One of her inventions was not successful but the thought was there. She is a caring girl and always thinking of what can make older persons’ lives easier. This invention was to place a hook on the end of a walking stick so Nanna (great-grandmother) could hang her handbag or shopping. However, having explained the impractical nature of this invention, although very thoughtful, she has now produced plans for something which will be practical, useful and convenient, making older persons’ lives more comfortable. (I am not at liberty to release further information at this stage as I am working on the prototype!) Nikita has also asked me about patents! She is only 11 years old so I can’t wait to see what the future has installed for her. Go girl!
- Crystal, my eldest granddaughter is the sporty one, the musical one and the academic! The high achiever! Trying to keep up with the entire goings on is a task on its own.
I find it interesting that all of my grandchildren are so different. They all come from the same parents! Even from the youngest age (just after birth) the children displayed their personalities. Crystal was a fiery little firecracker, resisting cuddles and showing determination. Nikita was a placid little darling and grew up silently achieving (no fanfares for her). Vance is Vance! So proud of all three children and the people they becoming. Different personalities, all loved!
Photo is a stock image and not of Carolyn Le-Grand.
Do you have a story to tell about your grandchildren? We’d love you to be part of our Grandparent Diaries series! Email us at contribute@oversixty.com.au
Related links:
Gallery: precious great-grandparents and their great-grandchildren from the Over60 community
8 reasons why it’s important to read to your grandkids
Our favourite cakes from the famous Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book