What Is A Grandmother?

What Is A Grandmother?

(Anonymous – written by 9 year-old 3^rd grade girl)

From “Where’s Dad?” -- Taken from the soundtrack of the Focus on the Family Film Series, "What Dads Need to Know About Fathering."

A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own. She likes other people’s boys and girls. A grandfather is a man grandmother. He goes for walks with the boys and they talk about fishin’ and stuff like that. Grandmother’s don’t have anything to do except to be there – They are old so they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is enough that they drive us to the market where the pretend horse is and have a lot of dimes ready. Or, if they take us for walks, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. And, they should never say, “Hurry up.” Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums off. Grandmothers don’t have to be smart, only answer questions like, “Why isn’t God married?” and “How come dogs chase cats?” Then she comes to her final paragraph and she says, “Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have television.” And, then her final line, “Because, they are the only grown-ups who have time.”

Very perceptive. She has in her own way described the extremely important role that grandparents play in the life of a child. I believe that it is a God-given responsibility. It is a little different than parenthood but still very important in the life of a child. But as importantly the little girl made references to the characteristics most typical of the American family. Indirectly she referred to it twice – Fatigue – Time Pressure. Everybody is exhausted. Everybody is huffing puffing and pushing – hurrying back and forth and working on the “to do” list. And never quite getting it done and felling the constant pressure 12 months a year. It’s going to be better. But turns out to be an allusion.

From "Where's Dad?" -- Taken from the soundtrack of the Focus on the Family Film Seriew, "What Dads Need to Know About Fathering," this broadcast addresses the greatest threats to meaningful family life: fatigue, time pressures, over commitment, workaholism and a failure to pass on a spiritual heritage. Urging fathers to make their families a priority, family advocate Dr. James Dobson stresses that values are best learned when children observe how a parent provides moral leadership in everyday life.