Shared Grandmotherhood is an Anthem of Parenting: A special article for all Grandmothers.

Introduction

According to Chames (n.d.), one of the unexpected gifts of grandmother hood is the joy that is derived from the chance of being a grandmother. There are both subtle and explicit memories that accompany the ability to care for a grandson or a granddaughter. This novel encounter usually unearths the parenting manual while throwing back the mind of a grandmother into the nursery school back in the days. Having gone through the phase of caring for their own children, grand mothers find it fruitful to learn how child upbringing looked like during their natality days.

In fact, most grandmothers are offered with an opportunity to see what they never saw while raising their children many years ago. I find this to be a special encounter in their lives since it is never an automatic chance for everyone.

What does a grandma hold onto?

Devoted Grandma (2024) shares experiences that relate to the joy and the sorrows that come with grand motherhood. From the article, you will realize that one of the footholds that grandmothers peg their lives on is investing their mind and energy in grandchildren. The continuum of joy and pride spans across different encounters when one is a grandmother. For instance, having a photo album that is full of beautiful images of grandchildren brings nice memories to an ageing grandma.

A grandmother and a grand daughter. Photo credit: Piixabay.

Being surrounded by grandsons and daughters who take the role of weaver birds, trumpeters, drummists, or rugby cheering squad is in itself a therapy clinic that treats loneliness of a grandmother. Exhilarating events from grandchildren that gapes wide, the jaws of grandmothers are a free gift of entertainment to any grandmother who chooses to welcome such a young and vibrant community to themselves. Watching how grandchildren ride on the back of a grandmother while she closes her eyes in happiness will convince you that a free body massage service is being offered at the right time.

Have you met a choir mistress grandma?

I met a grandma who was teaching the grandsons and a granddaughter, a patriotic anthem. This was happening in Kenya. You may not understand the words in the national language but I have copied the link here https://www.andrews.edu/~orwenyo/anthem/anthem.html for you to get the national anthem in English. One thing I liked from what I saw was the creativity that was being applied by the grandmother in teaching grandchildren about devotion. When such children learn how to get devoted, I am sure that they would face the future with boldness and passion. Kudos to the grandma for this lifelong lesson.

On the left: A video showing a grandmother, teaching the Kenya national anthem to her grandsons and daughter. Video by Benard Chinua.

Real grand motherhood means a young and musical heart that is always ready to sing.

According to Fairbank (2003), a grandmother who is willing to take multiple roles in the care of grandchildren exercises her meaningful relationships that she secured from her fore parents. A transfer of social fortune that binds a society is what children require, and that is exactly what such grandmother provides to that respective generation. Since the world is held by forces that are woven by relationships, a grandmother carries the sew and thread of family fabric. She forms the bond that is original, one that has been tried and tested over time and shares unfailing love with grandchildren.

In conclusion

There are treasures that all grandmothers should keep for their grandchildren because those children need to tap important lessons from them, for future. A grandmother is the key pillar of a community. She shares motherhood in a two fold sense; firstly for her children and secondly, for her grandchildren. From a Family Medicine perspective, all grandmothers have an anthem within them, which draws all generations into social patriotism if it is sung well.

Benard Chinua.

References

Chames, L. (n.d.). The Unexpected Gifts of Grandmother hood [online]. Available at: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/unexpected-gifts-of-grandmotherhood-186324.htm (Accessed 25 October 2024).

Devoted Grandma. (2024). The Unspoken Joys and Sorrows of Grandmotherhood: A Heartfelt Reflection [online]. Available at: https://www.devotedgrandma.com/grandparenting/heartfelt-reflection/ (Accessed 25 October 2024).

Fairbak, J., A. (2003). Grandmotherhood [online]. Available at: https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/21050/1/421373.pdf (Accessed 25 October 2024).