Introducing Grilled Grandma Cherry
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 Cherry:
How many children do you have? I have 2 adult children from my first marriage, and 2 step children (whom I do not know) from my current marriage.
How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I have 3 grandchildren: Brandon age 9, Katie age 6, and Josslyn, soon to be 8.
Any great grandchildren? None
What do your grandchildren call you? They all call me Grannie.
After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? My greatest concern was knowing I'd NOT be able to be as Constant in their lives as their parents’ grandparents were in theirs.
How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Definitely not as often as I'd like. Brandon and his sister Katie are 'Army' brats, and currently with their Mom and Dad in GTMO Cuba. Josslyn lives in Wisconsin with her Mom and Dad. 
What is the best thing about being a grandma? Being able to love the grandkids as unconditionally as I loved their parents.
What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Disipline, boundaries... Having to remember that I am the Grannie, not the Mommy.
Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. It's been a while since I was with any of them, but anytime we are together there is always cause for laughing out loud.
What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Sadly because of the distance thing, they do not get to visit, 'yet'... but soon they will all be old enough to travel without 'parental' supervision... then it will be Game On.
What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Read with them, watch their favorite movies or just hang out.
How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? E-mails thru their parents and SKYPE when available.
What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? A sense of belonging... Family roots, and of course unconditional love.
What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Fun.
What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? I wish I'd learned how hard it was going to be to miss all the milestones. It is so hard not getting to see them as much as one would want.
What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Love 'em all the time... and take pictures of you with them.... I regret that I do not have pictures of myself and the grandkids. When we are together, we spend quality time together and I forget to take pictures.
This grilling will now be permanently placed in the Grilled Grandmas Hall of Fame—AKA the Grilled Grandma Archives—under, fittingly, Grilled Grandma: Cherry.
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 18, 2012
Reader Comments (6)
Pleased to meet you Grannie Cherry
Great advice about pictures. I do (or rather don't do) the same thing and regret it later.
P.S. Tx for the censorship protest and links in regards to SOPA and PIPA, Lisa. I'd place it on our site, but I'm worried it will affect our secure shopping safeguards. Can't take the risk!
What cuties...those pinchable cheeks! A grandma's dream.
Cherry, I'm happy to meet you but so sorry you have to spend most of the time away from those cute kids. Don't worry though, they'll always know who and where their Grannie is and that she loves them very much. They sure are cuties and you must be so very proud of them. Enjoy your day in the Grilled Grandma spotlight.
Hi Cherry and welcome to Grilled Grandmas. Your grandkids are gorgeous. Sorry you aren't able to see them as much as you'd like. I am a long-distance grandmas and don't see me grandsons often enough. It's hard. Enjoy your special day Cherry!
Good Morning Cherry and welcome to Grilled Grandmas! Your grandchildren are gorgeous -- just love those freckles! Thank goodness for Skype so that you can stay in touch (without going broke!) but I know it must be hard to have them so far away. Enjoy your day in the spotlight -- you deserve it!
Welcome to the Grilled Grandma's club. You have gorgeous grandkids! I'm especially partial to red-haired children. It must be so hard to be so far away and not get to see them often. Skype is a wonderful thing.
Congratulations on your Grilling. I hope you've enjoyed your day in the spotlight.