I knew this would happen eventually. But I'm not ready for N The Logical. I haven't yet had my fill of N The Peurile. Not fair!
A couple of weeks ago I picked him up from school. I employed my usual shtick. He did not laugh. Instead, he replied "Grandma, you don't have to try so hard to make me happy." THAT gave me pause. I don't? What if I want to? He's not the boss of me.
Last week I picked him up again. As he climbed into the back seat I said (with great enthusiasm) "Hello, Punkin!" He took his seat, buckled his seat belt and said "You know, Grandma, I'm 8 years old now. You really have to stop calling me all those baby names."
Darn it. I'm not ready to grow up.
Today I am practicing my itsy bitsy spider routine so I can Facetime our great-granddaughter. I'm SURE I can make her laugh, for years and years.
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| And hey, look! A new banana blossom in our yard. |
Time to transition to the "embarrass the heck out of them" phase. I suggest Mickey Mouse ears worn whenever you pick him up from school.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I think you are on to something.
DeleteThe transitions are tough. You will develop a way into who hos is becoming.
ReplyDeleteHope so. He is REALLY important to me.
DeleteThis is sad news. My heart goes out to you. What comes next? I must prepare.
ReplyDeleteYou have time! Enjoy it with your grandchild. Every minute. And thanks, beneath the attempts at comedy, it breaks my heart.
DeleteI recently made a iPhone video of myself singing a song my mother used to sing to all her children and grandchildren. I sent it to the mothers of all the babies in my current life. they sent me back videos of their babies watching it. The one who liked it the best was my three year old great-nephew. His response was SO satisfying. I'm thankful for technology during this time of social isolation. Go wild.
DeleteAs our grandchild is living on the other side of the planet we have fine tuned the various social media channels and these days we start our day singing old MacDonald had a farm on repeat while grandchild has fits of giggles. I have started to introduced a couple of more meaningful tunes but the competition with thd farm animals is fierce.
DeleteSabine, you make me so happy.
DeleteOuch. I agree with The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure, show up in a housecoat and slippers to pick him up:)
ReplyDeleteHahaha. I will enjoy this.
DeleteI think she is, too. Let us know.
ReplyDeleteI sure will. I rarely keep anything to myself.
DeleteIt's so weirdly disappointing when kids grow up! And yet amazing to watch them become their own little people.
ReplyDeleteThis is true. I'll still try to hang around with him. For as long as I can. He's been a constant source of amusement and blog material. I doubt that will change as he matures.
DeleteLaughter - real laughter (it's easy to recognise) - is an unequivocal response. It cannot be faked.
ReplyDeleteI am not a comical person yet I've devoted much time, especially in conversation, to making people laugh. For purely selfish reasons. It eradicates awkward silences and it may suggest (even when this is not true) that one is on the same side as the laugher. There is a genuine thrill in causing reluctant laughter, especially in someone who doesn't really care for your company - watching them fight it. Brilliant!
Intentionally making people laugh is social manipulation. Shocking but true. It's also risky since there is no anti-climax so painful as laughs that don't happen. Your grandson has become a critic in the older sense of the word, an analyser and an appreciator. Don't back off, raise your game. Practise a casual delivery since audible effort kills the tickle.
I suppose I should now say something funny. Consider DT's mouth. Lips like his were once called rosebud, more often associated with women than with men. Imagine yourself at one of his disastrous press conference. Since these consist of wall-to-wall lies, feel free to lie. "Mr President, back in grade school you were known as Rosebud. Do you know why?"
No, it isn't funny but it's sort of satisfying.
Good advice. I'm raising my game.
DeleteMy 3-year-old grandson loves me so and when he sees me, he just runs and throws himself at me with a giant hug. (It really is glorious!) He loves to sit on my lap and smile and laugh with me and when my DIL says, "don't bother grandma so much", I say "no, in 2 years he won't think I am so cool so I have to make the most of it now." I have 6 grandchildren so I know what's coming. You love each where they are at, tho, and we are creating such happy memories for them (and us)! And showing them how to love! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. "You love each where they at at" Beautiful.
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