Friday Flashback: 30 grandchild firsts only grandparents celebrate
Dear readers: This flashback feature originally appeared on Grandma's Briefs April 8, 2014. Thank you for reading my rerun.
There are numerous firsts in a child's life worth celebrating. The milestones Mom and Dad celebrate, though, may be a wee bit different than those Grandma and Grandpa celebrate.
Here are 30 firsts in the life of a grandchild that warm a grandparent's heart and warrant a happy dance:
• First time being held by grandparents.
• First smile just for Grandma or Grandpa.
• First time calling a grandparent the name they'll forever be known by.
• First time saying "I love you" to a grandparent—without prompting from Mom or Dad.
• First drawing for Grandma and Grandpa's fridge.
• First shared phone conversation.
• First board game played together.
• First reciprocated hug.
• First hug when the grandchild lets go last.
• First song sung for a grandparent.
• First time introducing a new sibling to Grandpa and Grandma.
• First gift made with their very own hands.
• First gift purchased with their very own money.
• First time giving sincere thanks to Grandma or Grandpa.
• First shared dance.
• First visit via Skype or FaceTime.
• First time cooking together.
• First time reaching for Grandma's hand to hold while walking.
• First time reading a book to a grandparent.
• First personalized card written by the child—even if Mom or Dad provided letter-by-letter instruction.
• First time sleeping at Grandma's house.
• First time waking Grandma or Grandpa in the morning when they sleep at the grandchild's house.
• First compliment—on food, fashion or a grandparent's awesome ability that Grandma or Grandpa never realized was so awesome.
• First outing with grandparents only—Mom and Dad not allowed.
• First joke shared—a joke that the grandchild actually gets and finds funny.
• First time hiding while Grandma or Grandpa seeks.
• First time going to the theater together.
• "Friending" a grandparent on Facebook.
• First time driving Grandma or Grandpa.
• First holiday together (and every single one thereafter).
• First time saying, "I miss you."
Have more? Do share!