Tag Archives: Stress

How my granddaughter relieved my stress.

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In the past most of my communications was done one on one on the telephone. Once I completed writing my book I began to learn  what social networking was all about. I am still learning since this is a median that is ever changing.

I have had a blog site and face book page Grandparents being Parents since I completed my book Deployed Grandparents being Parents. I have shared my progress with my granddaughters, Ivie and Bailey since I launched my book.

My eldest granddaughter, Ivie has been trying to convince her mother, my daughter to allow her to have her own face book page, so she can communicate with both sides of the family.  My daughter like most parents are very concerned with the internet, media and  exposure to children.  Ivie has shown  a high level of maturity and  responsibility, so my daughter came to an agreement. My daughter would monitor her face book.

While I was on line and posting an update on my face book page  Grandparents being Parents I receive a popup. Chat window opened up and it said from  Ivie and her message said “Hi Grandma how are you?” This made my day. I had never used this chat method. Due to being on a computer all day long, chatting seemed to be just to much for me. But this was different. This was with my granddaughter. I wrote back to her but could not figure out how to send it. I tried several times and became frustrated. So I logged on to her  face book and posted  a message it to her, asking her for help. Ivie then responded back on the chat telling me what to do. Checking in with me and seeing how I was doing.

Kids today seem to work out issues with social networking much better than my generation. I guess we were so use to having instructions. I was always fearful I would screw up my computer. I have created so much stress for myself.

I think I will continue to have my granddaughter give me pointers with my networking. My granddaughter is so patient with me and she is so proud that she can help me.

I would have never thought my grandchildren would teach me a thing or two. I look forward to learning more from them.

I was a guest on NEWSTALK radio 590AM KTIE with Colonel Tom Freeman-Duty,Honor,Country

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I was honored last night to be a guest on the show- Duty, Honor, Country and share my experiences when our USAF daughter deployed and our granddaughters came to live with us.

This was a the first time experience for me, being a guest on  a  radio show. Colonel Tom Freeman was so personable, and made me feel welcomed, I felt very comfortable sharing my past experiences on the air.

Tom wanted to know what my husband and I  faced when our  daughter deployed, and our granddaughter’s lived with us. I shared our feelings of concern and how I searched for information. He wanted to know about the book I written, Deployed Grandparents being Parents.  I also shared a helpful hint to keep the family connected during deployment.

  This will be aired  on Sunday 5/30 and 5:00pm.  The interview  went so quickly, and before I knew it the interview was over. I really enjoyed it.

This reverted  me back  to when I heard the news that my granddaughters would be living with us. And all those unknown feelings rushing in my head. How will my granddaughters act living with us? How could we manage with our work and  school schedules. Will my granddaughters adjust to living in California? Should I act like their mother or being their grandmother? When my daughter returns how will she adjust back?

There are so many questions when you are  facing unknown territory.

I always remembered this verse- If God is for us, who can be against us.

Then I would take a deep breathe.  I realized, I really don’t know what is to be, I just have to let go. My love for my family will allow me to make the right decisions. You will need to be more than a grandmother, a disciplinarian, and counselor.

  1. Trust yourself- You raised your children and you have more experience now, then before.
  2. Get a calendar for the up coming month- Itemize a list of the up coming must do items – grocery shopping, planning meals, school activities ( school homework deadline dates, open house, after school games, what ever). Items keeping you and the kids on track. Schedule those task and then check them off when you are done. You will see results and feel good about it.
  3. Make a Chore Chart for kids- I itemized a list of tasks the girls were responsible for- table setting, clearing the table, cleaning their room, etc. This chart had adhesive stars to be placed when they completed that task. This gave our grandchildren a feeling of  pride, accomplishment, and they felt they were a part of the family.

If you can see your plan, this eliminates your stress. You will build a feeling of being in control. Kids like structure, and if they do not have it, they do not feel loved. You want them to feel they are loved!