Surviving Parenthood

by Kirk Kraft

Kirk Kraft of Marysville is married and the father of four children, all under 8 years old, in whom he takes great delight. He believes parenting is a journey filled with joyous peaks and difficult valleys, but it is also the greatest privilege in the world. He can be reached at kraftka@verizon.net.

This time out I would like to explore a subject that will bring a smile to many faces: grandparents. We all have them, but what role and impact can they have in the lives of your children?

Who doesn't have a childhood memory about their grandparents? Whether it was a special dish your grandma made better than anyone else, or simply listening to stories from your grandpa' s life, these were precious times.

Like many others, I have fond memories of my grandparents and was close to them growing up. Still, this can be a difficult area for many people. Some grandparents live far away, or perhaps they died when you weren't very old. Maybe you didn't have a relationship with them for a myriad of reasons.

I was fortunate to know three of my grandparents until I was almost thirty. My dad's father died before I was born and I still wish I had the chance to meet him in person. I feel blessed that my kids have the opportunity to live in such close proximity to both sets of grandparents. My children were my parents' first grandchildren and to see the love expressed between them is precious.

I enjoy watching my kids interact with their grandparents. There really is something unique and special about those relationships. Yes, grandparents spoil your kids, but that's just part of the love they shower them with. They also bestow the gift of time. In a world where many parents must both work to make ends meet, grandparents can be the saving grace for a family.

My own story regards the care and sacrifice they make for their grandchildren. Leading up to the time of my youngest daughter's liver transplant and now over a year beyond, both my wife's parents and my own have stood by, ready to do what was necessary to insure the well-being of our children. When I had to work and my wife was at Children's Hospital with our daughter, there were many nights our three oldest children essentially lived with my folks. They offered stability and a safe place to stay in the midst of chaos.

What kinds of stories can you share with others about grandparents? If you have been blessed by the elders in your life and your children's lives, be sure to thank them today.