Can Grandchildren Relieve Stress?

This weekend we have our granddaughters (3) over.  What a joy to be surrounded by such innocence.  Certainly, they call for attention but it isn’t stressful.  It really is interesting to see the innocent way they approach everything.

This morning we planted tomatoes, peppers, squash, flowers and some other seeds.  Now the youngest wants to see the flowers.  It doesn’t matter how many times we tell her she has to wait until they sprout, she still thinks she should be able to look at her flowers now.  Oh, to be so innocent again.

I’ve even had my hair brushed because they were all brushing their hair to get ready to go out to eat.  So, nothing would do but that my hair be brushed as well.  Next thing I know, they’ll be putting ribbons in my hair.  I guess the most stress comes from trying to keep them busy and out of our way as we try to prepare meals for them.

Oh, and they made homemade oatmeal this morning as well.  My wife has a recipe for adding ingredients to quick oats to make it flavored like the little packets you can buy in the store.  That was another project for the morning.  It is even good to eat so everybody was kept busy measuring and mixing.

And tonight my wife is making a pair of pajama bottoms for the youngest granddaughter.  With help from her of course.  They really keep us going when they come to visit and to tell you the truth I am sure it keeps us young even though we will probably be as glad to see them go tomorrow as we were to see them come last night.

I’ve forgotten what is on the agenda for tomorrow but it will probably include driving them around in the ATV and even letting the older one drive it.  Of course the three year old will want to sit in my lap and steer while I’m driving.  The only thing missing is the livestock that I used to have around.  And they miss going out to feed with me too.

I realize that in a couple more years they will have reached the age that they don’t need us any more and will want to go visit friends rather than come see grandma and grandpa.  It will be a sad time then.

I don’t think it is necessary to even think about managing stress when surrounded by innocents as life is so simple for them.  Well at least much simpler for them.  So if you don’t have any grandchildren, go borrow some for a weekend.  It’ll do your heart good to say nothing of reducing your stress.

There are some stress relieving techniques you can use if you don’t have grandchildren here.