On summer camp

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On summer camp

Memories and possibilities

summer camp 

Spring has sprung, which means it's time for parents and grandparents to begin searching and signing kids up for camps to enrich and entertain the little ones throughout the summer. Thoughts of such have me experiencing a melancholic longing for camp.

Which is a particularly odd emotion considering that...

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When grandchildren move away: 10 things to send with them

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When grandchildren move away: 10 things to send with them

Sometimes, regardless of how much we wish things could be different, grandchildren and their parents move away from Grandma and Grandpa. Perhaps there's a better financial situation for Mom or Dad farther away, or maybe it's a marital split that results in beloved grandbabies being relocated farther from grandparents than ever before.

I have always been a long-distance grandma—my grandsons have never lived near me. So I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be to learn grandchildren who lived nearby will soon live miles and miles away. Such a transition is surely hurtful not only for the grandparents, but for the grandchildren, too.

when grandchildren move away

As a longtime long-distance grandma, though, I do know there...

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10 life lessons grandchildren help us remember

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10 life lessons grandchildren help us remember

With all that we do for our grandchildren, they do for us so very much more. Things such as reminding us of important lessons we've learned yet often forget to put into practice. Things such as these.

grandchildren quotes 

 

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15 words that belong in every grandparent's vocabulary

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15 words that belong in every grandparent's vocabulary

words for grandparents

AFFLATUS — n. A sudden rush of divine or poetic inspiration. Grandchildren are the cause of many a grandparents' afflatus.

BELGARD — n. A kind or loving look. Cookies are nice but it's belgards from Grandma that kiddos crave most.

COMICONOMENCLATURIST — n. A specialist in funny names. There's no...

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On life and not just getting through

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On life and not just getting through

peaceful

Not long ago, I realized I repeat myself. Again and again and again. The same phrase.

Lest you think I’ve developed a tic, let me explain. 

Mid-summer last year, I faced some medical challenges. Despite the distress, I still had to maintain my home, my family, my connections, and — most time-consuming of all — my freelance job (you don’t work, you don’t get paid). I began noticing I’d accomplish each...

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Christmas and how the empty nest gets harder after college

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Christmas and how the empty nest gets harder after college

I used to be one of those moms whose child — or children, plural — recently left for college. You know... the moms walking around with a dazed, how-the-heck-did-this-happen-so-fast look in their eyes, virtually visible cracks in their hearts as they miss the once little ones who have flown their nest. They're the moms who live for holiday breaks, spring breaks, summer breaks, for that's when their loved ones return home, back to the safety of the nest where mom can hold each one in her arms and savor the sweet scents and sounds of her babies all around.

family christmas stockings

I was one of those moms. That first year my daughters were scattered afar for schooling and such was rough. It got easier, though, as it does for all moms (and dads) whose kiddos have gone off for enrichment and enlightenment on the road to becoming full-fledged adults. I found new...

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12 things grandmas can't do

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12 things grandmas can't do

Grandmas can do some pretty amazing things. That's not too surprising, though, considering that they're mothers super-sized into grandmothers. Their super powers are practically a given.

There are, though, a few things grandmas can't do. At least 12, in fact.

things grandmas cannot do

ONE
Grandmas cannot send letters, cards, and boxes through the mail...

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