I love having conversations with the kids. They can be funny, serious, baffling, crazy and frustrating – often all at the same time. But they are always, always entertaining.
The two older kids spent a day with their grandmother yesterday awaiting their return to school today. Neither of them were very keen to go but I think this was due more to their anxiety about the imminent return to school rather than reluctance to spend time with their grandmother.
When I picked them up after work they seemed set on fighting all the way home – as usual. In what felt like a futile bid to keep a semblance of peace I asked them about their day. They never really tell me much but I thought I would try to strike up a conversation anyway.
To my complete surprise they then spent the next 20 minutes taking turns in telling me about their day. How one had Henny Penny for lunch while the other had Subway. How they spent time playing on the iPad. How they watched their nan make homemade christmas cards.
But most of all they talked about their nan’s dogs and her old farm. How there used to be Jack, Bea, Angie and Jiba and how they used to run around on a farm. Did I know that nan used to live on a farm? Did I know that Bea was a clever dog and warned off a stranger one day?
I then took the opportunity to tell them what I remembered of the farm. How Gilbert had spent some time there as a young baby. How peaceful I felt every time I visited. How I loved watching the sheep and kangaroos. They then insisted on looking at photos of the farm when they got home, the wonder of it filling their imaginations.
We ended up spending the entire ride home chatting. It was unforced, enjoyable, interesting. A far cry from the usual squabbling and complaining of our normal car rides. The kids both said they loved hearing about nan’s stories and wanted to hear more.
I rang her when I got home to tell her what they had told me. Apparently they had sat entranced at her feet as she told them little snippets of her life on the farm. Even so she was amazed when I recounted the length and enthusiasm of their conversation.
It’s times like these that I’m grateful my kids have the opportunity to spend quality time with their extended family. That they have the chance to hear others’ stories and learn about other experiences.
Most of all I’m proud and excited that they showed a genuine interest in something outside their own experience and shared this with me. And that it led to one of the best conversations we have ever shared.
This might not sound very exciting but when your kids normally strike up a conversation with you to talk about their own special interests or to ask for something, having a genuine, reciprocal conversation with them is something to celebrate!
My Grandma turns 80 today and she has been a huge role model in my life. I can’t beleive she is 80. It makes me sad because she is getting old. I want her to be around for my children. I want them to play cafe like we use to, or pick strawberries from her garden or have wait and see for dinner every time they stay over. I wouldn’t be the same person without her in my life and I feel so fortunate to have grown up with her in it. I’m so glad your boys have had that opportunity too.
Penny, your memories with your grandmother sound so special – I hope you and your kids get the opportunity to have more time with her. My nan is 95 and still going strong. She taught me to knit and cross-stitch and to love plants – although I’m not very good at any of that I appreciate the time she took to share these interests with me. I will always cherish that.
IT will give you all special memories and no doubt made Grandma’s week.
It certainly made their Nan’s day when I told her!
thats a great story.. both my sets of GP’s died when I was young so I know I missed out..
I’ve always encouraged my kids to spend lots of time with their grandparents for that very reason. I know how much I learned from mine and I want them to have the same opportunity. As you say, they are so lucky to have that chance, I want them to appreciate it.
That sounds wonderful.
I recently had a fairly similar conversation with my boys. They had been to Mum’s for a few days and they were telling me all about it on the way home. I just love how much they love going there, and how much they love seeing my parents.
It really makes me feel good!
It’s great, isn’t it Tracey? I love seeing my kids forge those bonds and learn so much from their grandparents. I particularly loved that they connected so much that they shared it with me – that doesn’t happen around here too often!
I love these moments. Rx
Me too, Rachel. I want to appreciate every moment like this as they are so rare and precious!
That sounds wonderful. I love that they were interested in what their nan had to say. It shows they have respect for their elders, which I think is just great! And kids can be SO entertaining can’t they? We often get very big stories from Mr 4 now and I love it! I love how much he gets right as must as I love how much he makes up!
Yes, kids’ stories are fantastically entertaining! I love how my kids describe things – they always make them sound so much more amazing than they really are. BTW your Mr 4 sounds like a real little cutie!
how wonderful! memories being played out and a truly special moment to have that conversation with them. To be cherished x
Tahlia, it was a very special moment – in fact they were still talking about the farm this morning on the way to school – who would have thought?
Definitely a time to cherish! I wish my children had more time with extended family… but then I can’t change that for now.
So glad your littlies had that experience though! xxXOoo
I’m still in shock that they took it all in AND wanted to share it with me – that does not normally happen! But I’m very happy that I got to be a part of it – it was definitely a moment to cherish with them.
Oh this is such a nice post to read! So wonderfully refreshing to hear kids taking a genuine interest in others.
My dad often tries to tell my kids about when he was little, but I don’t think there is enough adventure in the stories for them, cause their attention wanes pretty quick. It’s a pity cause I remember as a kid loving hearing about how different his life was.
It was a nice post to write Jess – I’m still amazed that we enjoyed such a great conversation about something outside their normal interests. That never happens, believe me!