Grilled Grandma: Cherylann

How many children do you have? I have two, a girl and a boy

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I always have a hard time figuring out how to answer that one. Technically I will have become a Grandmother five times but my first grandbaby was still born and the 5th one isn’t here yet. Mathew would have been 13 and as I said Aidan isn’t here yet. He is due in June. For the others: There is Sara who is a moody eleven, Breanna who is a too worldly wise 8 and Drake who is a rambunctious boy of 15 months.

Any great grandchildren? Not yet

What do your grandchildren call you? Nana. I was quite young when I became a grandmother the first time and I didn’t want to be called grandma so I trained them to call me Nana.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Not as often as I like as they live 2.5 hours from here, I usually manage to make one trip up a month though.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? All the things I don’t have to do like potty training and such. That and being able to play without feeling self-concious.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Seeing the errors my children are making and not saying anything about it. It’s hard to let them learn the hard way when I could make it so much easier for them if I shared what I learned.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud.  Drake, when I saw him walk for the first time. He saw me, said Nana and started walking towards me. He has a sashay to his walk like a dancer might and he was just so darn cute.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? We almost always end up making something together. A craft project or in Sara’s case baking cookies or preparing a meal. That and working in the garden with them.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Sitting watching their programs with them cuddled up beside me.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? I don’t do that as much as I should, mainly I talk to them on the phone or using Instant Messenger.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Also, service to others is a good thing (ie Volunteering)

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Fun

Visit Cherylann at her blog, Ramble Time-Reinvented.