Grandmother's Garden by Sarah Davis

Women my age–somewhere between diapers and Depends–all like to talk about the wonders of being a grandma. We keep a sharp eye on the wrinkles starting to wreathe our faces, carry cute leather photo wallets, and haunt educational-toy and grandparenting websites, all the while telling ourselves how blessed we are to be a grandma.

All the fun and none of the responsibility, don’t you know.

The truth is that being a grandma feels like being in graduate school: old skills to hone, new ones to learn, challenges to master.

The challenges I work at mastering as a grandma are similar to the ones I worked on as a mom–nurturing without smothering; giving enough help without intruding on independence; loving even when the object of your love is driving you crazy!

Relationships are no easier for my daughters and daughters-in-law, those wonderful women who parent my grandchildren. What should they do with me and all my great ideas? How can they respond nicely when I tell them (for the fortieth time) something “you might want to think about . . . ”

In them, I’m blessed. Without exception, my daughters and daughters-in-law are gracious and kind, willing to see the good intention in my sometimes-too-helpfulness.

It’s with this in mind, I thought it might be fun to explore some of the issues that come up when there is a “grandma on board.”

Not in the driver’s seat.

Not in the back seat, trying to drive from there.

Just riding shotgun, keeping everyone company, listening, and sometimes even helping out.

All the fun, without the bumper sticker.

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Be sure to check out Grandma, On Board each week as Holly seeks to share her wisdom and insights into life as a grandmother. To get your daily fix, visit Holly at her regular blogging spot, Grandma on Board.