Grandma Kay was our neighbor over 20 years ago. She was such a good friend! She recently wrote and told me about some of the things that she does to build strong relationships with her grandchildren. Grandma Kay wrote:

“We built our backyard around the idea of the family. We wanted a place where they would want to come and spend time. Blaine (Kay’s husband) did a wonderful job. We have a pavilion and basketball court and a real log cabin (playhouse) and swings and lots of room to play baseball and tag and take rides on the four wheeler.

“The next thing I do is have them over a lot and take pictures and then I send the pictures in my e mails for everyone to see. They love seeing their picture immediately on the camera and then I send a write up to the aunts and uncles and cousins about the fun we had.

“Maybe the real theme of all this is to make your home usable and livable. If it has white carpet and too many ‘don’t touch’ articles, well you get my point. Our house is small but we have fun here. Nothing fancy but all are welcome. And the older I get the happier I am that I do not have a lot to clean and keep up.

“When I am with my grandchildren, I try and be present. I have to work at this. I get so distracted with work and life that I really have to concentrate and be there for them and hear each and every comment and question.

“We kid a lot. They like to have their leg pulled and then when I ask them if one of their legs is longer than the other, they know how the game is played. It is fun. I hope I will be a better grandma when I retire and have more time to do things.

“One more thing. We go to the ranch in Montana every summer and spend the week together. We have so much fun. Our daughters made a lot of happy memories there when they were little and so they want to go back to let their children make their own. It has been the best time for us. Nothing fancy and pretty primitive. They get dirty and have lots of room to play in.”

It sounds like Grandma Kay is doing a great job already being a wonderful grandmother. She doesn’t have to wait until she retires! I have been to her back yard and it is a haven — and a heaven — for grandchildren.

My husband has wanted a four wheeler for quite some time. Maybe when our grandson gets a little older we’ll have to break down and get one . . . We have a heavy duty commercial swing set (like for schools or public parks) and a basket ball standard. And a fire pit. And lots of room to play tag. But that is about all. I guess we need to start making additions so there will be fun things for our grandchildren to do when they come for a visit. A real log cabin playhouse sure sounds fun!

To sum up the ‘principles’ that Kay mentioned:

• Have a yard that is fun for children.
• Have a home that is ‘kid proof’ where Grandma doesn’t have to worry about what grandkids touch.
• Be ‘present’ when you are with your grandchildren. Don’t be mentally sidetracked by other things.
• Let your grandkids get dirty — and get dirty with them! You may not have a ranch in Montana to take your grandkids to, but you could have a sandbox in your yard (or a nearby park), a beach, or a place to camp where kids can enjoy the beauties of nature.

Enjoy!
Digi-Gram