Grilled Grandma: Cheryl

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 Cheryl:

How many children do you have? Six children and they are 29, 26, 25, 24, 15, and 13

How many grandchildren? One

What are their ages? 17 months

Any great grandchildren? No

What do your grandchildren call you? Grandmum (grandson lives in U.K.)

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? A good crib and good equipment such as stroller and high chair.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? 2 or 3 times a year for one or two months each.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? The gift that they are from heaven and hugs.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Wanting to set an example of Christlike behavior that they can follow.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. My grandson, Benjamin, likes me to hold him except when one of his pretty young aunts walks in the room, then he wants to go to one of them. He's smart!

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Walks though the park in the pram (stroller).

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? I have not visited Benjamin yet in the U.K., but I hope to do so soon.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Skype! I am working on several journals with special things he liked at each age each month. Like one month he was fond of doggies. I am just getting pix out of magazines, etc. Children like to know when they are older that you thought about them at each stage.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? The Gospel of Jesus Christ

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

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? Save everything and keep a day to day journal or keepsake box, since the little mommy does not have time.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Relax, encourage, and enjoy! Use a soft touch verbally with your daughter or daughter-in-law, there's more than one way to raise a baby to good health.

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about?

Momlaughs — Laugh Your Way Through Motherhood

For Keeps Ministries — Connecting Two Hearts for Lifetime

Writing Mentor — Teaching Aspiring Writers How to Get Published

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!

Grilled Grandma: Liz

How many children do you have? 1 daughter, Vera

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? 2 - a girl, Natalie, 6 1/2; and a boy, Liam, 4 1/2

Any great grandchildren? no

What do your grandchildren call you? Grandma Shoes—Natalie named me and it stuck.

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? The well being of my daughter.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? 2-3 times a month

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Getting to hold babies again and the blessed opportunity watching them grow and remembering how much I love being a mom and now a grandma.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Keeping my opinion to myself unless I am asked—I mess up a lot and talk too much!!!

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. When they tell me knock knock jokes on the phone—they both take turns and Liam tries to repeat what Natalie said and then they both end up being silly and I act confused. they get such a kick out of it—I laugh out loud every time.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? We play restaurant—they have a tea set here—they take my order and then serve me my tea and snack and I argue over the bill, then I play waitress to them and they do the same to me.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Making something in the kitchen (my daughters' kitchen)—smoothies are fun and so is baking cookies. Always time to color and put puzzles together.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Phone calls

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? How special they are and how much I love them.

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

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? There is such little time. Time went so fast raising my daughter; I knew that, but I forgot.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Be there every chance you can.

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about?Groovin Moms — (about) life as a baby boomer woman.

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!

Grilled Grandma: Sandy

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 Sandy:

How many children do you have? I have two daughters, Kathleen and Courtney and one son, Joe. They were all raised in a military household and both daughters swore they would NEVER marry anybody in the military because they didn’t want to ruin their children’s lives by moving every three years. Both girls are married to pilots in the Air Force, just like their Dad, (Ha!) my son is not yet married.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I currently have four grandchildren, Courtney has two girls, Kate (4), Emma (2) and Kathleen has two boys, Jackson (4), and Gavin (21 months). However, in just a couple of months we will go from four grandchildren to seven as both girls are pregnant, Courtney is having another girl and Kathleen is having twin boys! We’ll have seven grandchildren all under the age of four.

Any great grandchildren? No

What do your grandchildren call you? They call me “Honey”.

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? Actually, both of my girls were pregnant at the same time with their first babies and neither of them lived nearby. I live in North Carolina and one daughter lived in Spokane, WA, and the other lived in Pensacola, FL. My biggest concern was not being close enough to them to help out on a regular basis and get to play with the babies as often as I would like.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Currently they still live far away, for two years both daughters lived in Okinawa, Japan because their husbands were stationed there. One still lives there and the other just recently moved to California. We see each other, in person, at least twice a year for three to four weeks at a time.

If all goes as planned, I hope to be present for the upcoming births. “Operation Baby Drop” will have me flying to California for the birth of the twin boys, then on from there to Okinawa for the new baby girl’s birth, and then back to California to help out with the twins again, whew! I’m already exhausted just thinking about it!

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Getting to spoil my grandkids whenever they are around. We try to fit lots of adventures into their visits. However, I also have to listen to my own kids complain about how we NEVER spoiled them.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Keeping my mouth shut. I try not to give unsolicited advice but sometimes it just slips out. Fortunately my daughters are very good about listening to what I have to say. It’s amazing how much smarter they think you are once they have children of their own!

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. The last time Kate and Emma were visiting we had just finished nighttime baths, pajamas were on, and they were sitting in bed, hair dripping and waiting for a bedtime story. I decided to make up a story instead of read another book so I made up an elaborate story about a little girl who went on a great adventure. Then I said, “Okay, it’s your turn to tell me a story.” Kate proceeded to tell me about two princesses “who were very beautiful, but not as pretty as me” she said. I couldn’t help but laugh. Apparently that child has no problem with self-esteem!

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Right now we like to draw and color. I can’t wait until they are old enough to learn how to sew!

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? We like to go on walks, more drawing and coloring, and do lots of puzzles and read books.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? We talk on the phone two to three times a week and Skype about once a week. Thank goodness for Skype, I don’t think I would be able to survive the distance between us without being able to see them so often. When they were smaller they thought we were the “grandparents in the box” but being able to see us on a regular basis makes it easy when we visit because we aren’t really strangers.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Live life to the fullest and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your goals!

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Fun! They will probably think I’m a little crazy too since I went skydiving for my 50th birthday and love to try adventurous things. However, I flew off the side of a mountain skiing a few years ago and ended up in the hospital so I’m a little more cautious in my adventures, now that I know what pain feels like!

One of my favorite quotes is, “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand – strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, ‘Woo Hoo, what a ride!’”

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? Just like the saying goes, “If I’d known that being a grandparent was so much fun, I’d have had my grandchildren first!” I’ve always loved children and having my own was great but, man oh man, there is just something wonderful about grandchildren because the pressure in raising them falls to someone else and you get to be the good guy!

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Enjoy every minute, hold those babies as often as you can, close your eyes and memorize their smell, feel their skin, give them baths and drink in all the sights and smells that come with them.

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about? Yes, I have a blog and a website. I am a designer of applique quilt patterns and I strive to make designs that are whimsical and easy to make. My blog is about sewing, quilting and basically randomness of life. My website address is http://www.HissyfitzDesigns.com and my blog address is http://www.sandyfitzpatrick.wordpress.com. You can also “Like” me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/hissyfitzdesigns.

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!

Grilled Grandma: Gwen

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 (and ever so goofy) Grandma Gwen:

How many children do you have? I have three perfectly imperfect, outrageously talented, uniquely incredible children, and two equally amazing children by said children's matrimonial choices.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? One boy 8, one girl 5 (both gifts from my daughter and her husband).

Any great grandchildren? ZERO

What do your grandchildren call you? I'm NEE NEE

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? Mirror, mirror on the wall—I am my mother after-all.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? As much as possible—they live in town

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Being a grandma erases all the fear and concern that you used to have about being a grandmother.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? It's always a challenge when I see them, to remember to say hello to my daughter too.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. The grown-ups were talking about how everyone has lost something in this economy when my granddaughter chirped up, "Yes, I know...........I lost my tooth!

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? My grandson and I love, love, love to put together Lego machines—(but secretly he'd rather do this with his grandfather). My granddaughter and I love to paint (She's an artist, you know).

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Go for walks and bike rides and READ, READ, READ.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Frankly, I try not to visit everyday—don't want to wear the ole welcome out.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Life is not fair but it is grand. You are special and you are loved.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Life-lover (oops, that's two).

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? Go ahead and buy your own car seat, highchair and crib.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Enjoy

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about? I blog about the grand life......www.play-grand.com.

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!

Grilled Grandma: Sandy

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 Sandy:

How many children do you have? 2 boys

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? We have Chloe who is 9 and her sister Amy who is 7 then we have Grace who is 6 and Oliver her brother who is 4.

Any great grandchildren? Noooo not ready for them yet.

What do your grandchildren call you? Grandma

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? Hmm… well am I old enough I guess … I don’t think I was concerned, just elated and excited, I guess, and thrilled about the thought of sleeping with a granddad.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Unfortunately my eldest son is now divorced and it has been a hard battle to get access. I never really understood those “fathers for justice” that climbed on top of buildings in London etc but for over a decade, Fathers 4 Justice has fought to ensure fathers play an important role in the parenting of their children when parents separate. They have campaigned to ensure that the best parent for their children is BOTH parents.

Yet 1 in 3 children still grow up without a father. I am lucky to see his two girls (the oldest of my grandchildren) every other weekend but that is not nearly enough time to build a bond with them.

My youngest son has two children and I see them regularly once a week when we have them whilst their parents go to work ~ we really look forward to having them. What is nice tho is that we actually see them when we are not looking after them if you can understand that … what I mean is that they all visit often as a family with our lovely daughter in law (their Mum) too.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? We both (hubby and I) love spending time with them and love their funny little ways … when they go home at 6pm we are thoroughly exhausted but enjoy talking about the day … and who said what and who did what.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Learning not to “interfere”.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. Oliver, the youngest and only grandson, has us in stitches all the time. He is a little character … he loves playing on the x-box and Wii with Granddad and the other day when they arrived, Oliver said “Granddad why have you got a cold again?” Granddad said “Well you gave it to me, Oliver” and he said “No I didn’t coz I still got it” … Out of the mouths of babes, eh?

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Well as I said above, Granddad loves to play on the x-box or Wii but I love crafting … I make my own greeting cards and they always say “oh Grandma, can we craft?”That usually results in me dashing off to my desk to put all my bestest pens etc away before the invasion.

We also had a super summer house built in the garden when we retired and most of their toys are down there so they will often disappear down there to choose what to play with.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? I love going to their rooms and playing with their toys … it is not always easy to get up off of the floor now tho !!

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? We phone them … and they phone us e.g. when Gracie’s tooth came out she was straight on the phone to tell us. And I always phone them when I see a rainbow and because they only live just up the road they can usually see the same one.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? The importance of family and keeping in touch (especially the two older girls who I can sometimes see us losing touch with).

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Loving … Happy…always pleased to see them … oops could never say it in one word.

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? How expensive this grandma stuff is … and how many toys and games you seem to acquire even tho you have no children at home

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Enjoy them.

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about? I have a personal website, http://sandyscraftybits.blogspot.com/ , and I use it to showcase my greeting cards … but as usual the grandchildren are featured heavily on there too.

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!