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When the little people finally get out of the house you dare to look back and analyze how it all went.
That phase is called the empty nest syndrome.
It's that time when you cringe from that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach that develops from knowing that you did not do nearly as good as you could have, for whatever reason.
You can't muster up the strength to ask your brood to evaluate you, because of the fear that will creep in after hearing possible words of complaint and dissatisfaction that will be left to float in the air, lingering in your head for a lifetime.
Are you sighing? So, you're grateful for the opportunity to bear these humans and hope you do better as a Grandy.
Let's move on.
When you've reached the phase of your life that can be shared with grandchildren, life really gets exciting.
You know what to do this time around and are quicker on the draw in tense situations.
You know what works and what doesn't, all the while adding new stuff to your arsenal for those tough cookies.
For instance, your purse is probably full of the fun stuff: paper and pencils, sample size powders and creams, the all important coin purse, the little bible they pretend to read, the extra pair of reading glasses that must be tried on by all and the Chapstick that goes everywhere but their lips.
Why, my grandsons have even demonstrated that Chapstick can be a good substitute for crayons.
Who would have thought? It's also amazing that a kid, as young as three years old, can know the greatness of having a credit card.
That knowledge must be there by design.
Grandy likes to cook with the grandkids and while it's true that cooking lessons can begin as early as two years old, just watch out for bowl tipping episodes, an extremely well floured pan or eggs that can be easily brushed off the granite to the floor with a quick swoop of the arm.
I mean, seriously, everyone should wear an apron and keep those quick wipes handy.
Another cooking consideration is yield.
Stay alert! It's easy to end up with only half the mixture after each of those little dipper fingers repeatedly find their way to the batter and then to their mouths, or faces, whichever is first.
Be on guard as to how many cookies actually make it to the cookie sheet.
If no one wants any cookies when they're done, it's an important clue as to the amount of cookie dough that just didn't stand a chance.
This age is also good to instill "the lugging factor.
" Have them help bring in the groceries, their overnight bags or other packages now, while you can.
Give them something they can either carry or drag without destroying the contents, but get them used to doing work for you and you'll reap the benefits when you're too old to do stuff yourself.
There is nothing worse than knowing of an elder whose younger generation is not willing to help out.
Grandyhood means being a loving Grandy, patient teacher, stern authoritarian, game player extraordinaire, keeper of deep knowledge, comedian, referee, child-catcher, and she who decides the bottom line.
These little people don't know it yet, but staying in Grandy's good graces is best for a well and spoiled life.
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