My Baby's Baby

My baby’s baby turns four this month. However, that’s not the milestone that’s giving me the feels. It’s the fact that my baby girl has a baby!

For the past four years I have watched as my daughter has matured into a wonderful mother. Was I worried in the beginning? I don’t know that it was so much that I worried but I would say that I was curious how she would handle the demands of being a mother. Remember, I’ve know HER since birth and I’ve seen the good, bad, and ugly.

My daughter was the kind of kid who always had clothes and junk in the floor. As a teenager and young adult she could easily sleep until 1 pm. While she could cook she could also live off of Chipotle, Starbucks frappachinos and anything sold by IHop. Her car looked as if she lived in it. And don’t get me started on the number of drivers licenses and debit cards she lost.

Did all of that change when she became a mother? It’s not so much that she stopped doing those things, it’s what she began doing that’s most important.

When my baby had her baby I saw how much she loved her child. I saw her unselfishly give up old ways to adopt new ones. I witnessed firsthand the hugs, kisses, specially prepared baby meals, trips to the park, zoo, and splash park just so she could bring joy to her little guy. I saw the tears and worry when her baby was sick. I marveled at the patience, care, and understanding that parents are supposed to have but no one ever teaches us to what extent.

Something else happened in the four years since my baby had her baby. I could do the things for her and give her what my mother gave me when I had children - advice (solicited and unsolicited), encouragement, and support.

I don’t know that anyone could have prepared me for being a grandmother, but just as rewarding has been the experience that I’ve been able to share with my daughter on being a mother. My best advice to her? Enjoy this ride because it will be over before you know it.