“She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26.
This summer, Caleb, our 10-year-old, is learning how to mow. Not necessarily by choice unless you consider it Papaw’s choice.
We are living with my inlaws while my husband is away on a deployment and it has been interesting to watch the relationship unfold between Caleb and my father-in-law. This is the first time we’ve ever lived near my inlaws since Caleb was born for an extended amount of time, let alone with them, so saying there has been an adjustment period is putting it mildly. Now Caleb doesn’t have just a mom to contend with – he’s got grandparents telling him what to do too!
My father-in-law, Mr. Ray, the well-meaning man that he is, can be a bit abrupt and to the point when he wants to get something done. Which doesn’t always go over well with Caleb who can be a bit sensitive when it comes to tone. So the pair of them sometimes resembles oil and water. But I have to admire Mr. Ray for trying – even when he gets frowny faces and resistance from the grandkid, he keeps after him. And that, to me, says love. And as a mom, I LOVE that he is willing to take the time to teach his grandson good hard work.
So my job in all of this is smooth out Papaw’s occasional roughness and run interference when exasperation (or border-line disrespect) on the part of Caleb sets in. Which happened today.
Papaw wanted Caleb to mow the yard with him (they take turns making loops, which I think is a great way to help him learn). To which Caleb’s immediate response was a frown. And my response was to explain (once again) that this is one way he helps around the house and it’s a great thing Papaw is willing to take the time to teach him and it’s a cool thing that he’s actually old enough to be able to do this now (which I don’t think impressed him nearly as much as I wanted it to.)
Today Papaw decked him out with new-to-him yard shoes.
And then they mowed.
And mowed…
And mowed…
This is his “I’ll let you take a picture but I’m not smiling” face…
And then it started raining. Like, completely dry one second and completely soaking wet the next. I wish I could have recorded the initial thunder burst and downpour that happened but it happened too quickly and I was inside when I suddenly heard Caleb yell, which he rarely does. The poor thing was standing in the back yard drenched, in the middle of mowing and Papaw had stepped around to the front. He was about to walk into the kitchen when Papaw came back around and said, “nope, gotta put everything away.” So in the rain they worked to get the lawn mower and the blower and other things picked up.
Caleb’s never been so glad to come inside and take a shower! (And look, I got a smile!)
What kind of relationship does your kids have with their grandparents? How do you encourage it?
Me and my two boys are living with my parents because of my recent divorce. Matthew (5) and Aidan (3) are complete opposites in their relationships with my parents. Aidan is all about working hard and being a good helper. He loves to help my dad with projects around the house and help my mom pull weeds from the flower beds. Matthew, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about helping. He would rather sit and listen to MeMe read him a book or watch a movie with PawPaw. Both boys respect their grandparents and obey them. They have kind of a fear or reverence for PawPaw. He disciplines them the way he did us, with a soft but firm voice. He talks to them about what they did wrong and why they are being punished. I am so thankful that God gave me such wonderful parents. They have been so supportive and helpful through all of this.
I just recently found your blog and love everything that i have been reading. I am definitely going to purchase your book. I had to comment on this post because i think it is so WONDERFUL that your FIL is there for your son what a wonderful role model and encourager of hard work. My son is three and we recently moved away from his Paternal grandfather and i can say that even though he is three he misses him dearly. We recently moved to California and they are located in Florida. They have been a part of his life since he was born. He is the first grandchild. My FIL was excellent with my son. Always involved and helping him. He would take him to the part and buy him ice cream and sit out side with him with the dogs. I love to see that type on interaction and am sadden that we had to move. Thanks for this awesome blog… i hope to learn a lot and become not only as close to a P31 wife but also an overall better person.
Hi Carla! Thanks for posting! Yes, there is definitely something great about having grandparents around and you realize how special it really is when you go without it for awhile. Caleb’s Papaw has now been taking him to the indoor pool at the fitness center down the straight that he helps at on Sunday afternoons with his cousins and Caleb’s really been getting into swimming better and learning to dive. A great memory he’s making with his Papaw, for sure. Thanks for reading the blog! Glad you’ll be taking part in the challenges!