From – ‘Guess what mom? We are pregnant' to…She's here! He's here! They're here! 

Oh my gosh! So exciting.

My youngest daughter, Nicole, is pregnant. Due in March 2021. And I am so dang excited! Now, I don't know about my daughter, but those days, weeks and months are just flying by for me.

I have been knitting up a storm (I will definitely take pics and show you AFTER she sees everything). I have been planning on what I want to buy…keeping in mind that she and her husband are adopting the ‘minimalist' approach and don't want their child to live a life of overwhelm.

Nicole has told me that I need to have my suitcase packed and be ready to travel at a moment's notice! Her husband might not get any time off after the birth and I will be needed for sure! She asked me how long I could stay. A month? 2 months? 3? Ah…the joys and anticipation of a becoming a 1st time mom.

Recently I talked to a friend who reminded me that I need to arrive as a Mom 1st and a Grandma 2nd. 

Meaning…as a grandma helping a new mom, I am there to help out my daughter with, not only helping her get used to motherhood, I am also there to take the stress off of her so she can enjoy every moment of being that new mom. PLUS, of course, answer all of the ‘how-to' questions that will arise. 

My role as a grandma helping with the newborn baby needs to lean closer to me stepping in and helping my daughter with her normal day-to-day activities and less about holding the baby all day. And hopefully I can remove some of the obstacles that might be in the way so she can just relish in being that new mom.

Because, as you know, NONE of the other things that life requires of her will have gone away.

There's the laundry. Folding those clothes. Ironing those same clothes. Food shopping. Preparing meals. Cleaning. Errands. Work.

A baby does ADD to life in so many ways, right? And, not just in the ‘busy category' either. Yes, laundry loads do increase, but what about ALL of those baby snuggles? All those baby smells? And just reveling in that awesome new born goodness. Me? I can't wait!

As a grandma helping a new mom, I need to be a mom 1st and a Grandma 2nd. I need to remind myself of this. I also need to remember that I am NOT the mom of this new and beautiful baby. I need to remember to defer to the wants & wishes of Nicole and Zach. I had my chance to make all  of the parenting decisions….now it is their turn. 

PS – The above friend, Sandy, felt the need to remind me to be a mom 1st, because when she had her babies the Grandma's came to only be Grandma's. Holding the baby all day. Maybe changing a diaper. Maybe feeding a bottle. Which left Sandy, as a new mom, to take care of running the house, preparing meals, laundry and errands. With no energy to just relish in all the new born moments.

I knew this already but I really appreciated the reminder. Hopefully this will serve as a reminder to you too.

BTW – if you like this post, you might find some of the others I have written while I travel life's highway…check them out right HERE.