Who would’ve thought that the title of “Nana” would come with its own set of laugh-out-loud moments and a brand-new set of priorities? Buckle up, folks, because I’m here to spill the beans on how being a new grandmother has turned my life into a show filled with love, joy, and a whole lot of singing stupid songs that I honestly can’t even remember the words to.
So, here I am, knee-deep in diapers, pacis, and the latest kiddie trends, realizing that being a Nana is just as much about being a playmate as it is about giving sage advice. Who knew that I remember how to settle a baby when mom and dad are on the edge of screaming? Is it talent, years of experience, or the simple fact that he knows I’m Nana? I’ve officially traded my 90 Day Fiance obsession with reading Dr. Seuss and couldn’t be happier about it.
Sure, I used to think I knew what love was, but then my grandson Jack came along and redefined the entire concept. It’s the kind of love that makes you want to buy every cute onesie on the planet and spoil him rotten. Hint, I might be multi-tasking between writing this and checking out those overalls on OshKosh B’Gosh that his dad used to wear at this very moment. Despite the fact that I distinctly remember telling my mother-in-law not to overindulge our kids, I find myself buying everything in sight that he could possibly need for the rest of his life. Oops, Grandma’s little secret!
Remember those days when a good night’s sleep and a cup of coffee were all you needed to conquer the world? Well, welcome to my new reality, where the ultimate triumph is getting the grandkid to take a bottle without a meltdown. My priorities have shifted from writing articles about how to look GORGEOUS at 70 to the delicate art of swaddling and learning how to use a Keurig-style machine that makes baby formula.
They say with age comes wisdom, but they forgot to mention the part about acquiring the patience of a saint. Now, as a seasoned Nana, I find myself offering pearls of wisdom with a side of humor, attempting to strike the perfect balance between advice and a well-timed dad joke. And let’s not forget all of those times I said “Just wait til you have kids” to my son. Yeah, karma is a bee-atch for sure!
As I dive headfirst into the whirlwind adventure of grandparenting, I can’t help but marvel at the unexpected that comes with the territory. From the unbridled joy of singing songs about boys who are ponies, and how trotting to Boston and Lynn might make him fall in, coupled with the guilty pleasure of spoiling my grandchild rotten, being a Nana is an exhilarating rollercoaster of love and laughter.
So here’s to the messy, unpredictable, and downright journey of being a grandparent. Oh, and I can go home and have a glass of wine at night with no interruption.
