I’m 5 days into being the babysitting grandparent of 2 of my adorable grands. (ages 2 and 4 years old) Their parents are celebrating an anniversary on the beaches of Kauai, Hawaii. A much deserved vacation for 2 incredibley hard working parents of 2 smart precocious toddlers. In keeping with my Wet Mittens theme, I like to share what I have observed or learned while in full control of my grands these past several days.
- “Boo Boos” are a big deal. If you have forgotten this, then let this serve as your warning to get a supply of bandaids in stock for the wee ones visiting your home. Bandaids have magic powers I’m positively sure of it.
- Staying with the “Boo boos” theme here, also be reminded that you will HEAR about this boo boo ALLLLLLL day long and you must have the same compassion for it that you did when the injury first occurred.
- Two children from the same family are in cahoots about sleeping through the night. If one sleeps through the night by some small miracle, then the other MUST wake you at 3:02 AM just to be sure your healthy sleep and REM cycles are disturbed. I tried to catch them in the act planning and scheming but failed. They probably did it when I was passed out on the sofa during an episode of Paw Patrol.
- Keeping with the Paw Patrol theme, This kids show is jackpot. 24K Gold. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. Thank God for Ryder and his pups. I owe my debt of gratitude to them. I actually said to my husband the other day, “just yelp for help!” And “Nana, on the double!” and I whistled the theme song while sorting out size 2T and 4T clothes for laundry.
- Serving quinoa is a bad idea to a 2 year old. They might as well be at the beach throwing sand around your kitchen. I won’t repeat a meal with that on the menu no matter how much they whine and demand for it!
- Some 4 year olds,(my granddaughter) can talk and talk and talk all day long without taking a breath to even breathe. This is a modern day miracle that should be recorded somehow. I am in awe of this ability.
- Getting out the door and loaded into the van is a triathlon sport. I clearly need more strength training.
- Toddlers should not wear socks. The drama department at our local high school should look forward to the upcoming actors they will receive in 2028 from our family. Their play could be called “My Sock Is Hurting!” Or maybe “ If I Pull My Socks Up to My Knees, Then I Can Wear Those Shoes.”
- I am never alone in the bathroom. They must follow me in there every single time. They must also stand very close and ask questions. They will inspect your skin, your varicose veins, underwear conditions, belly button, how many squares of toilet paper you used. why your tummy is bigger than theirs and other world problems.
- The older sibling is the foreign language interpreter for the younger sibling. After many attempts of me trying to understand, “mifundapa” I asked the wise 4 year old guru to give its meaning to me and I was amazed that it was “spatula”.
- You must go to bed when they do or you won’t get a wink of sleep.
- If it’s your idea, it can not possibly be a good one.
- Mustard on scrambled eggs is an acceptable cuisine.
- The words BLUE and POO can sound the same ALL of the time. Run to the potty when you hear either. You can also defer to the interpreter if you are not sure.
- Negotiations are needful for a peaceful resolution for picking out clothes daily. See my earlier comment about the drama department recruits forth coming from our grands...
- Unexpected kisses and phrases like “I love you Nana” make Nana forget everything exhausting about the last 5 days being Grand.
