Introducing Grilled Grandma Kaye
What is a Grilled Grandma? A Grilled Grandma is a grandma whom I've grilled with some grandma-related questions, and she's graciously responded with answers and photos. Here is Grilled Grandma Kaye:
How many children do you have? 3
How many grandchildren? What are their ages? 11 blessings — They range in age from 1 year on up to 14 with most between 4 and 10.
Any great grandchildren? No
What do your grandchildren call you? Mostly Grandma
After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? What to have them call me — as they have several grandparents. We ended up with adding our names to differentiate — i.e. Grandma Kaye.
Kaye's mom and oldest grandson gardening.How often do you get to see your grandchildren? I see half several times a week as I am their granny nanny, meaning I babysit them a lot. The other half live several states away so it varies from 1-3 times per year.
What is the best thing about being a grandma? Sharing the love of Jesus with them — not to mention all the hugs and cuddles.
What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Balancing everything. I am also caring for elderly parents and there can be a lot of appointments, health needs, etc. at both ends of the age spectrum. Juggling is one of the skills I’m constantly utilizing in the Sandwich Generation. 
Self portraits made by grandkids.Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. We do a lot of laughing, especially when playing games together. We’ve recently started a new game where they swing and I toss one of their soft plastic balls at their feet. They then try to kick it up and I try to catch it. Those balls can really go in crazy directions and by the end of the game, we’re all laughing our heads off.
What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Lots of games — offline like checkers and chess, as well as online with Webkinz stuffed & virtual animals. We also love easy crafts for the kids (and seniors). These are all great ways to keep little hands busy in a positive way and create lovely and lasting family memories. I also have their Razor scooters in my garage and we enjoy going around the block on those, sometimes with their great-grandmother joining us.
What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? For both sets of grandkids — I bring the games and easy crafts with me. For the near-by grandkids, we have a great time playing “ball tag” in their back yard (throwing soft plastic balls at each other to “tag” a person. It’s easier than the traditional Tag — nice for them AND me). For the long distance grandkids, we often enjoy fun family field trips like the one we took to an apple orchard this fall.
How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Phone calls, email, and keeping them updated with their Webkinz stuffed animals so we can also play games together on the Webkinz website while chatting about it on the phone. It’s a lot of fun.
What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? To know and love God! One of my primary goals in life is leaving a sweet spiritual legacy in their hearts and lives — and I’m always looking for ways to do that — from singing praise and worship music together to doing fun holiday projects, like Advent activities, for and with the kids with the primary focus on Jesus. I also love sharing encouraging Bible memory verses with them throughout the year — whether we are working on their Awana verses or on the verses and pictures I post at SandwichINK.
What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Love
Tootsie of the youngest.What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? I wish I'd taken a practical nursing class — it would definitely come in handy — both as a grandma AND an eldercare giver
What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? My best tip for those who have lots of grandparent competition and need more cuddle time is to volunteer to change the diapers. You’ll usually have a bit less competition and get LOTS of extra one-on-one time with the cutie pies. AND it’s a sweet help for the parents so it’s a triple blessing all around.
Do you have a website or blog? What is it about? I do. I write for and about the Sandwich Generation — those juggling the multigenerational issues of caring for the elderly parents and relatives in your family while still raising children or, as in my case, babysitting the grandchildren. My primary site is http://www.SandwichINK.com.
You can also find me at:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SandwichINK
Google Plus - http://www.sandwichINK.com/at-google-plus
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/SandwichINK
Among other sites :)
This grilling will now be permanently placed in the Grilled Grandmas Hall of Fame—AKA the Grilled Grandma Archives—under, fittingly, Grilled Grandma: Kaye.
Dear Readers: If you'd like to nominate a grandma for grilling—yourself or any other grandma—please e-mail me her first name and e-mail address and I'll take care of the rest. Thank you!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Reader Comments (6)
Kaye, you're a kindred spirit! I love playing simple outdoor games, and we'll definitely try ball tag and kick-the-ball-while-swinging!
I lost my dad in June. Although I was responsible for a lot of caregiving and the three years before his death were hard, I miss him every day.
Hi, Grandma Kaye! ( I gave your name as middle name to my middle daughter, love it). So glad to see that you want to instill in your grandchildren an awareness that they are loved by Jesus; that knowledge will give them strength through-out their lives.
Wishing you strength in your efforts as part of "the sandwich generation" because that surely leaves little for "you" time. Just remember to be kind to yourself, too; give Grandma Kaye some good time each day just for herself because she's a nice lady. And, welcome to the Grilled Grandmas club.
Hi Kaye and welcome to Grilled Grandmas. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Enjoy your special day!
Terri
Hi Grandma Kaye! We love Webkinz too at our house, and we also love offline games, like a recent addition, Battleship.
Thanks for sharing how you help your grandkids to know Jesus better - that is my primary goal as well.
Blessings to you and your kids and grandkids!
I'll be checking grandma kaye out as we share that name. I like that she used the term "granny nanny". That's what I do too--I'm a granny nanny :) It's nice to have a job title.
Hi Y'all - Whew! Grandparenting and senior care issues have kept me beyond busy for the last two weeks (not to mention a pesky cold that keeps re-surfacing!) I popped by earlier this month, but I must have come the day before this came out. I apologize for not getting back sooner but as I can tell many of you know, those Sandwich Generation issues of life can definitely shred the "best-laid plans of mice, men" and granny nanny! :)
Lisa, thank you for the delightful "grilling." I had fun answering your questions AND enjoyed them all over again as I read them today! What a sweet honor and I so appreciate it and you! :)
Hi Susan, What fun to meet another kindred spirit! I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I know, well, how hard it is as my senior dad had Parkinsons Disease. We, too, had several difficult years, but still full of sweet family memories as I hope you also enjoyed. You are in my prayers!
Thanks for the delightful welcome, Ann. And boy, you are so right about that "me" time. But God is so good and He keeps me "keeping on" even when it is in short supply - which it definitely has been this month. Gotta say tho, with the new fun of our Words With Friends game between grandma and grandkids, that has helped. At least my brain is getting exercised in a most fun way. :)
Hi Terri - and thank you so much for the lovely welcome. :)
Hi WebGrandma - sounds like we are also kindred spirits. Loving to share the love of God and loving to play those games! :) :) :)
Hi Kaye - Isn't that a fun title! I only discovered it a year or so myself. My grandkids think it's a hoot, but it's fun to share with "like minds" online :)
And again, thank you so much for this fun treat, Lisa - and have a blessed day!