The ‘Grandparent’ Gene
This is more of a lighthearted post; I think befitting of Miscellaneous Musings. Have you ever noticed how your parents completely changed the moment they became grandparents?
The strict rules of your childhood, no snacks before dinner, no sweets, no toys from the checkout aisle, seem to vanish overnight. Suddenly, they’re handing out chocolates, buying treats, and saying yes to everything. They spoil their grandchildren rotten, and they do it with pride.
It’s like some long-dormant gene awakens the moment they switch from being just “parent” to becoming “grandparent.”
What’s even more surprising? They’re fully aware of the change and totally okay with it. Like many parents, I’ve questioned my mum about this transformation, only to get the classic shrug and a simple: “It’s just different.”
And in a way, it is. There’s something beautiful about watching them build a relationship with your kids, one that’s softer, sillier, and somehow more patient. But still… why the change?
It seems to happen to all of them. My mum, who was always practical and rarely playful when I was young, now happily sits on the floor to play with my kids. Meanwhile, trying to get her to join in a board game when I was a child felt like pulling teeth. (In fairness, I think my kids would say the same about me now.)
So, I sit and wonder… will the Grandparent Gene awaken in me one day? I have no idea, but I suppose I’ll find out when the time comes. I’m not entirely sure why I wrote this post, but it’s something I’ve noticed and felt like sharing. Maybe you will relate to it, too.