Grilled Grandma: Kathy

How many children do you have? Three daughters by birth and one that is granddaughter by birth and daughter of my heart.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I have eight beautiful grandchildren. Connor age 16, Danielle age 13, Tristen age 13, Legacy age 11, Julianna age 10, Kristina age 8, Benjamin age 7 and Quinlan age 6. I have been parenting Danielle all her life.

Any great grandchildren? Not yet

What do your grandchildren call you? Danielle calls me Mommy and the rest call me Grandma.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Danielle lives with me and I see Connor, Tristen, Lagacy and Quinlan at least once a week. Julianna and Kristina live 1200 miles away but I see them during summer and school breaks.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Watching them grow and develop. The time to see each child’s special abilities. They are each fantastic people in their own ways.  Getting to love them without the responsibility of disciplining them.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Sitting back with my mouth shut when I disagree with things my grown children do differently than I would with the children. I may think I know better but I need to remember these are not my decisions to make unless they endanger the child.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. Watching all the children at Benjamin’s birthday party chase each other with the cold water hose.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Teaching the children a new skill or craft.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Watching them play and learning about their lives.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Most of the children are here often. The ones that live in Florida I communicate with through phone calls, letters and gifts.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Love of family community and service.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Love

Visit Kathy -- and peruse her reams of useful information -- at GrandsPlace, "For grandparents and special others raising children."