Never under-estimate how important grandparents are in a child’s life.   I know from my own experience what a large part they play in the  development of of a child.  I had the most amazing grandparents and my youth was the richer because of them.  My parents, too, set me too good an example of what role a grandparent should play in the raising of children by being really awesome grandparents – often changing their own plans when I needed them to help with my kids.   When it became my turn to be a grandparent, how could I not follow in their footsteps and also play an big role in helping my daughter to raise her boys and also to be as good a granny as I could to my distant grandkids making every excuse under the sun to visit them in 1400 km away.   The love between a parent and child is strong but there is something very, very special and quite different about the love between a grandparent and grandchild – is it because all the responsibility of raising that child is gone and now all you have to concentrate on is loving them unconditionally?  I know this feeling – you cannot get enough of your grandchildren – they are perfect – nobody else on earth has ever had such a special creature in their lives – they can do no wrong.

Bill Cosby put it in perspective – In conversation with his father he said, “My son is so naughty.”

“He is not,” replied the grandfather.

“He set the house on fire.”

“It was a good fire!” came the very logical reply.

My school, too, recognizes how important grannies and grandpas are in the lives of grandchildren and each year host a Grandparents’ Day.   This year it was the turn of The Foundation Phase to entertain the senior generation.   Each grade performed an item in the hall, there were musical recitals and the winner of our Speaker-Reader competition told the joke that won him first place. The principal gave a short address and then the ‘old’ people visited the young ones in their classrooms.

Wow – my classroom was filled to capacity – some of the children had all four of their grandparents crowded round their desks to admire and write a comment in their books.   There were a few whose grandparents were unable to be there – distance being the main reason – but one grand couple made a special trip all the way from Springbok so as to enjoy this special day with their granddaughter.    The little ones without grandparents did not dip out as their friends shared their grandparents with them and allowed then to make comments in their books too.

After the classroom visit it was time for a scrumptious tea.   Our Grade 7s were hosts and hostesses and while the young ones were out to play the teachers joined in to socialize with the special guests.

When school was over and I sat down to mark my books and read the comments.  I was blown away.   I was expecting a brief – “well done” – or “keep up the good work” – or  “lovely writing” and other words of praise to their special child.  They did indeed write lovely things about their work but they went on to say so much more – e.g. “I am so impressed with this school and delighted that my grandchild has the privilege of learning in this environment.”    “What a happy school this is – and how relaxed and happy the children are.”  “I love your classroom – it is so bright and welcoming”   “I love the way the children are taught and prepared for modern technology.”

It is good to know that the grandparents have confidence in us and approve of what we are doing.   If any of them are reading this blog – thank you for your trust and rest assured we will continue to strive to give our best to your precious grandchildren.  Thank you for the very important part you are playing in their young lives.