Tired? Exhausted? Out of energy and zip? Talking in monosyllabic phrases? Raising your tone of voice a bit to a soprano level? Reading books about Curious George and Spot out loud? Getting down on the floor with your creaking knees and aching back flooding you with pains and protests? Sounds just like us; you’re babysitting grandkids. And you’re 70ish.
My husband and I, known here as Poppa and Gimmy, have been babysitting our two year old grandson for a week. We also arrived last week for his two year birthday celebrated with family one day and gobs of presents and food, then the next day with friends and neighbors and a few presents. Luckily there were gallons of coffee at that one and some muffins. We needed gallons of caffeine by then. At his first party, he absolutely loved the balloons and garbage truck decorations. Yes, he’s a garbage truck aficionado. Then he opened one gift which was next to impossible to open since it was securely attached with plastic pins and plastic shrink wrap inside the bank vault style box. Momma had to help open it. Forgot to mention that this was accompanied by his Dada and two preteen half sisters struggling to assemble his lil tykes bike we had given him. Filling out this three-ring- circus in the living room was Poppa taking long videos simultaneously. You shoulda been there…actually you probably would’ve skipped it and kept your sanity.
IT SHOULD BE READY TO RIDE IN ABOUT AN HOUR IF WE CAN FOLLOW THESE TEN PAGES OF INSTRUCTIONS!
After an hour of opening the first and second gift, our two year old wasn’t opening anymore. He was absolutely fine with the toy garbage truck complete with four trash cans and one dumpster that Mama had opened, and he played with it the rest of the day, as happy as a kid at a garbage dump or landfill or recycling center- those being his favorite hangouts.
CAN WE USE DYNAMITE TO GET IT OPEN?
Anyway, at 70ish we learned how wonderful naptime can be when babysitting. We would conk out on the couch while the two year old napped. Even the dogs would have Naptime. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Nap when toddler naps. Even new parents should at any age. It’s a valuable lesson for Poppa and Gimmy.
WALKING AND TALKING. Can we nap when we get home?
Those 70ish Girls 