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Have any of you, my fellow Grandmas, noticed that there are A LOT of myths about grandmas? How did this happen (and how do we make it stop)? Sure, we all spoil our grandbabies and think they hung the moon, but not all of us knit, and we sure as heck do not all look alike! Aside from these common myths, there are other misconceptions that we MUST address, including:
1. We don’t all knit, sew, and/or crochet
Let’s begin with the two we already mentioned: If you have a gift for creating and crafting, you are an exceptional kind of grandma (and human, for that matter)! However, just because you are a grandma does not mean you magically have this talent – or interest.
2. All grandmas look alike
Is it just me, or did everyone’s grandma look similar when we were kids? My grandmas had short and curly hair, glasses, and nearly the same stature. Grandmas today seem to come in all shapes, sizes, personalities, and ages. Isn’t it grand(ma)? (See what I did there? Hehe.)
3. Every grandma is gentle and soft-spoken
Well, not always. Sure, we can be as cuddly as a squishy baby, but we’ve also been known to roar like an angry toddler throwing a tantrum when the situation calls for it. If I am being honest, some of us are just naturally louder than others…
4. We are all retired and enjoying a life of leisure
I wish! Times have changed since we were young, as my mama and most of my friends’ moms stayed home while our daddies worked. Today, many children are growing up in homes where both parents are working and with grandparents who work! Do I need to mention that many grandmas also watch their grandbabies full-time?
Let’s say that some grandmas like to whip up their cookies from scratch, and others like to scratch off the top of an Oreos package. There’s no shame – and trust me, as long as sweets are involved, those grandbabies don’t mind!
6. We’re all tech-challenged
This may just be one of the most common misconceptions of all! Just because we grew up in the era of rotary phones doesn’t mean we can’t handle smartphones. In fact, some of us are swiping and posting like pros on social media. (Dare I suggest that some of us can even out-text their grandkids any day of the week!)
7. Our homes look like antique stores
While some of us love to surround ourselves with keepsakes and heirlooms, others prefer a more contemporary style or even minimalist chic. After all, our homes should reflect our taste, not a one-size-fits-all grandma stereotype.
8. We cannot keep up with the current trends
Hey, we can keep up with the Kardashians and scroll through TikTok just as well (if not better!) as anyone half our age! 😛
9. We’re always available to babysit
Just because we adore our grandkids doesn’t mean our only role is the resident babysitter. We’ve got full lives, plans, and sometimes a spontaneous trip! That said, a little heads-up for grandma duty is always appreciated.
10. We all love to garden
Some of us have green thumbs, while others have not-so-green thumbs. Gardening might be a popular grandma hobby, but it’s not universal.
11. Grandmas carry hard candies in their purses
No, we don’t always have hard candies in our bags – that is a hurtful stereotype. Sometimes, we even have gum and fruit snacks on hand! Hehe.
12. We are early birds who get the worm
The myth about grandmas being up before the crack of dawn is only sometimes the case. While many of my grandma friends are morning people, I, for one, would rather stay up late and sleep in. Which are you?
13. We are all bird-watching, tea-sipping bookworms
Do you remember what I said about not all grandmas being retired? This makes it challenging to have leisurely activities (though God knows I would love one like this)! Even if you have the time, some of us may love our quiet afternoons with a novel, but others might be more inclined to hit the gym, attend a rock concert, or go on a thrilling road trip.
Conclusion
There we go – we have officially washed our hands of these common grandma myths! Do you have anyone who needs to read this? Feel free to forward it along. 🙂
