Parents spend their days attuned to their children in a dozen different ways, raising them to establish good manners, communicate clearly, and build good habits that will serve them well throughout life. Grandparents, on the other hand, have already raised their children and are no longer responsible for making sure everyone eats well and turns in their homework on time. Instead, they get to embrace the simple fun of just being with their grandkids.
Perhaps this is why grandparents are so universally adored by children as co-conspirators. Mom might never allow a second scoop of ice cream, but grandma can load up the bowl, top it off with whipped cream, and add some sprinkles to boot.
In a way, being a grandparent is a kind of time travel, a way to spend a few hours with a young person who reminds you of your own child, but who is different and unique in their own way. In honor of this special relationship, we’ve collected the following quotes about grandparents, in all their wisdom and humor.
The very old and the very young have something in common that makes it right that they should be left alone together. Dawn and sunset see stars shining in a blue sky; but morning and midday and afternoon do not, poor things.Elizabeth Goudge, author
Kids are hard — they drive you crazy and break your heart — whereas grandchildren make you feel great about life, and yourself, and your ability to love someone unconditionally, finally, after all these years.Anne Lamott, author
Grandparents are extremely rich folks with silver in their hair and gold in their hearts.Mamur Mustapha, entrepreneur
Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric.Pam Brown, poet
When a grandparent enters the door, discipline flies out the window.Ogden Nash, poet
Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.Alex Haley, writer
Truth be told, being a grandma is as close as we ever get to perfection. The ultimate warm sticky bun with plump raisins and nuts. Clouds nine, 10, and 11.Bryna Nelson Paston, writer and editor
Because [grandparents] are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations.Jimmy Carter
If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old people like it.Hannah Whitall Smith, author and speaker
No one who has not known that inestimable privilege can possibly realize what good fortune it is to grow up in a home where there are grandparents.Suzanne La Follette, journalist
Our grandchildren accept us for ourselves, without rebuke or effort to change us, as no one in our entire lives has ever done, not our parents, siblings, spouses, friends — and hardly ever our own grown children.Ruth Goode, writer
The best babysitters, of course, are the baby’s grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.Dave Barry, humor columnist
Photo credit: FTiare/ iStock
