My parents arrived yesterday, which means two things: (1) my household has been counting down the “sleeps” for a week, and (2) there is beer in the fridge.
I’m lucky to have a family I like.
Given that, here is my perspective on 10 Reasons Why It’s Great to Have Your Parents Come to Town
(1) A clean house. I only clean my house when people come over. On Wednesday night, while my I took my son to karate and while my husband tried not to become a human domino with his viral vertigo diagnosis, my daughter cleaned the house. As in vacuumed, spot-cleaned, tidied, etc. It’s nice not to trip over fourteen pairs of shoes in the entry, eight of which are mine.
(2) There’s beer in our fridge. See preamble above.
(3) Hugs. My mom is a hugger. So am I.
(4) Laughs. I’m from a family who laughs. Loudly. At each other. At ourselves.
(5) Free babysitting! With no family in Calgary, my husband and I have to dole out $10/hour when we go out. Not on Saturday. (see below)
(6) Movies. Due to the free babysitting, C and I are going to see this hilarious Canadian Indie film that I actually featured on my blog. It’s called Sex After Kids, and the reviews that this edgy RomCom is racking up are impressive. Watch the trailer. Then see if you can find it at a theatre near you. I’m also an Associate Producer. I’m not sure what that means, other than the fact that I gave up a month of chai tea lattes to support the project in its early days. But…I’m on IMDB! (proving it’s all about me…sigh).
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/57375588]
(7) Cribbage. I started playing crib at age six, which means I should be good. In spite of my mediocrity, I still play when my parents are around. It’s our thing. Before we eat dinner, we grab a beer and play a game or two.
(8) Freezer cooking. My mom makes (and freezes) a few dozen hamburger patties for us. She usually bakes amazing cookies too. This Sunday we’re also making lefse, a Norwegian tradition I’ll tell you about next week.
(9) The Intergenerational Thing. I had a special relationship with my grandparents, and now my twins have that with my parents. I’m in awe of how my kids can convince my dad to play goofy games, and at my mom’s patience and ability to resolve sibling-fights with a quiet distraction.
(10) Did I mention there’s beer in the fridge?
Happy Weekend, my friends.
And Skoal! (Skål for the purists.) For the non-Norwegians, that’s “cheers”…
Your turn:
Were you close with your grandparents?
Best thing about having your parents around?
I like your family too. Especially your mom. Can she come over and visit me too? Need some freezer cooking. And hugs.
Amen! Here’s to the back-up team!
What’s viral vertigo?
I’m very close with my parents and grandparents. I’m lucky like you.
I don’t know what it is about grandpas and their grandkids. I watch my dad play with my kids and in the back of my mind I’m all “Hey! you never did that with me and my brothers!” But I’m not bitter and that’s the main thing. Have a great weekend!
I love it when the grandparents come. I don’t see the kids all weekend!
nice! My parents are actually meeting me in FL for a work conference to help me with my 5 month old son. I love that my mom never gets tired of playing and holding with my son – it’s like a neverending lovefest for her, she just could hold him all day and be perfectly content. It’s nice to know that when I leave him with them while I’m working next week – he will be 100% loved and spoiled!
I also like your parents – they sound fun and helpful and look so damn cute! My parents are great grandparents – we just don’t see them all that often. But when we do, my mom runs a mini home ec camp and has my kids sewing, crocheting and baking the entire visit. Happy memories. Thanks for the reminder.
My grand parents were old before I was born. By the time I was old enough to enjoy their companies they were in their advanced 70s and didn’t want to play on the floor much. My mom was 51 when Emily was born and it is amazing to see them together. They have an amazing relationship. They chat and play games together. My mom lives far away. My mother-in-law lives near by, They have tea, play dolls, read stories. Emily is a lucky girl. And whenever possible, we enjoy an evening out as she stayed over for the night with Nana. We do the same when mom is visiting. The only beer or alcohol drinker grandparent is my dad and whenever he visits, he brings the alcohol as it is less expensive where he is so he makes sure to bring plenty for his time here and for us to enjoy after he goes back home.
My parents live upstairs. It’s great. I recommend it, especially for school holidays and when the kids are sick.
I got labyrinthitis and subsequent vertigo a couple of years ago. I was mostly better after a year, with VRT balance exercises, but I still have dizzy spells. Hope your husband gets better soon!
I love CRIBBAGE!
I was going to make a sarcastic joke about how unfortunate it is that your parents are staying with you, but I read the whole post and you won me over. You’re very lucky.
Yes, very close with my grandparents. My dad’s parents took five of us cousins on camping trips every year, we grew up to be closer than a lot of my friends even are with their siblings 🙂 My grandfather passed away last year, but my grandmother and my mom’s parents are LOVING being great-grandparents – they are some of my baby’s favorite people, he gets so excited to see them!
I LOVE hearing about parents and grandparents. Alas, all mine are gone…hence my yearning to hear about others. I’ll be over with some gluten free beer and my kid. Your parents can adopt us. (We’re in need.) *winning smile*
Love this post and can relate. Let’s just say, my parents were over briefly today and, accordingly and uncharacteristically, the house is clean. I am sitting here enjoying the cleanness right now.
I wasn’t close with my Grandparents – both sets lived too far away, we would only see them once a year. I was always jealous of my cousins who lived in the same cities and knew them so well that they gave eulogies at their funerals. This is the main reason I insisted on moving back to Halifax to have our kids. My boys know their grandparents SO well and have great relationships. And the “helping out” factor is huge!! (It has also really improved The Husband’s relationship with his family.)
I used to love for my parents to come into town. When i moved back to my home state, they come over often. Family nights can be so exciting. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Thanks for sharing!
I love when my parents come, too, because then my husband doesn’t follow me around all weekend demanding that I entertain him.
I was very close to my grandparents, but as for my parents… no comment.
Great post, Leanne!
My MIL is great, and when she comes into town I get someone who loves my child to watch her and engage with her. It’s great!
My favourite reason to have parents visit is that they come over and start cleaning. It is really a nice treat!
I can relate to this! My house is never cleaner than when a guest is in town!