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Do you remember when your kids were little, and you would hear YOUR mother coming out of YOUR mouth? (Don’t worry – It’s a rite of passage we all had!) It turns out our moms were right about a lot, as were our grandmas (and their moms/grandmas and so on).
While times are changing at an alarming rate, some things – especially parenting/grandparents’ methods – stay the same, as evidenced by these 10 ancient tactics that still work with today’s modern grandparenting:
1. Children, like flowers, grow best in nature
Above is one of my very favorite quotes because it is SO true! Grandmas know kids belong outside getting dirty and exploring nature versus sitting in front of a screen for hours. Sadly, the world is different than when we were kids, so you can’t lock the kids outside unsupervised (like our moms and grandmas did, ha!). However, you can take your book and a cup of coffee out so they can still play and explore while you keep an eye on them/kick back a little.
2. Home remedies > pharmaceuticals
Have you found a better cure for sniffles and low-grade fevers than a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup? Is there anything better on the market for burns than a trimming of fresh aloe? What in the world are teething tabs, and what was wrong with rubbing a little whiskey on a baby’s gums? I still use the same home remedies my grandma used for many of life’s little aches and pains – and for a great reason!
3. A little dirt never hurt
This ties back to my first point: let kids be kids and get dirty! Many modern parents seem to fear dirt and exposure to germs. Guess what? Jumping in puddles and digging for worms is one of the best things you can do for your kids (especially those grandsons). Also, while we want to keep our grandkids safe and protected at all times, they must be exposed to germs, as it builds their immune systems and helps their bodies in the long run.
4. Hard work goes a long way
Kids today have never had to pull weeds or mow the lawn, and it shows! Introduce your grandkids early to age-appropriate “hard” work, whether it be the aforementioned yard work or other various chores. Hard work not only keeps the grandkids active, but it also teaches them the critical values of both hard work and responsibility.
5. Show no mercy when playing games
Grandmas love to play games. I will play anything with my grandkids, and I can remember my grandma whooping us all in Bridge like it was yesterday. My grandma showed no mercy when she played games, and I do the same with my grands. It builds character, okay?
6. Handwritten letters and cards are a precious commodity
I loved receiving cards and mail from my grandma and still have many of our correspondences! It feels good to be remembered, so I try to do the same for my grandkids in hopes that they will feel as seen and cherished as I did when I was a little girl skipping to the mailbox.
7. Make ALL the things
We live in such a wasteful world filled with fast fashion and cheaply made items that are sure to land up in a landfill sooner than later. When I was a girl, my mom made all of our dresses, which she learned from her mother, who learned from her mother, and so on. These homemade dresses were not only unique but also high-quality, which is something that is hard to find in this day and age! On that note…
8. Waste Not, Want Not
Our grandparents knew the value of every scrap. From leftovers-turned-into-new-meals to mending clothes, these practices are not just eco-friendly but also a great way to teach resourcefulness to our grands.
9. Tradition… Tradition
Just like Tevya from “Fiddler on the Roof,” grandmas know just how important traditions are, whether it be cultural or family. Grandmas are an absolute wealth of knowledge when it comes to these traditions and are happy to instill them in this and future generations.
10. Reading makes a person even more interesting
Whether its the Bible or the latest and greatest fiction title hot off the press, grandmas can almost always be found with a book in their hands! Why? We were all raised on reading and prefer it over electronics and apps. Need I mention that we LOVE reading to our grandbabies?
Conclusion
There you have it: Ancient tactics that our grandmas use and we still use today! Who says that the newest thing is always the best? Let me know if you can think of any others – I love to hear from you.
