Everything We Need to Know We Learned…From a Baby? 

Grandparenthood has been all we dreamed it would be – and more.  We have loved every moment!  Our grandson is nearly 7 months old and changing rapidly.  He is learning new things every day.   As he lay peacefully sleeping in my arms recharging his little batteries, it dawned on me that he isn’t the only one learning.  In many ways, the student has become the teacher. We have learned so much from our little guy! 

IT’S OK TO CRY AND LET YOUR NEEDS BE KNOWN 

JULIE: When our grandson needs something, he does his best to try to communicate that there is a problem and he needs help.  With the exception of the birth of our grandson, these past 6 months have been the most challenging we have ever faced together.  John is glad to help carry the burdens, but he is not a mind reader.  I need to quit pretending I’m strong enough to deal with everything on my own and share ALL of my needs and concerns with him.  I need to be vulnerable with him so we can truly be a team in this crazy thing called life. 

JUST TRUST 

JOHN: Our grandson is so trusting.  When we hold him up, he loves to jump up and down, trusting that we will be there to make sure he doesn’t do a face plant.  He is all smiles when I toss him in the air, trusting completely that I will catch him.  I need to trust Julie totally as well.  Between losing a parent, a broken foot, experiencing melanoma, and psychological trauma at work, I’ve had to lean on her an awful lot lately.  I trust that she will always be there to catch me before I fall because she always has been. 

NEVER STOP LEARNING 

JULIE: Our grandson spends most of his waking hours exploring his ever-expanding world.  You can practically see the wheels spinning as he tries to figure out how to get across the room so he can put his desired toy in his mouth.  I want to always have that kind of desire for learning about John.  He is my favorite subject, and I want to know what is going on in his mind and his heart as we journey through different stages of life together.  

IT’S OK TO BE SILLY 

JOHN:  Our grandson absolutely loves it when we’re being silly with him!  Funny faces, peek-a-boo, belly zerberts, and raspberries are a sure way to get a smile and often a giggle out of our little buddy.  Our easy laughter with him has been a reminder of the importance of play and laughter in our marriage.  Seeing Julie being playful with our grandson endears her even more to me. 

LIVE IN THE PRESENT

JOHN: Our grandson focuses on what is in front of him in that moment.  Being around him has been a great reminder to us of the importance of taking time to simply put the world aside and focus on each other in the precious present.  In doing so, Julie and I create a space of intimacy, a private world that is insulated from the stresses around us. 

LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY 

JULIE:  Our grandson loves us unconditionally.  He smiles hugely when we come in the room and call his name.  He doesn’t expect anything of us – he just loves us because we are his Nana and Grandpa.  What an incredible gift! He reminds us that loving each other unconditionally is the greatest gift that John and I can give each other.  How it brightens my day when John smiles when he walks in the door from work and sees me – he delights in me and I in him, no matter what challenges may have transpired between us recently.  

If you haven’t been around a little one in a while, we suggest you treat yourselves by observing a baby or toddler for a few moments when you’re out and about.  It is said that “Wisdom comes from the mouths of babes,” but we think their actions speak louder than words. 😊