I’ve been living with my two young grandsons for a week or so, helping out while their dad is in the hospital with a staph infection after a knee replacement—I know!

I’m also here to tell you times have changed since my kids had their first day of school. These two had a long list of supplies to buy before the first day, including Amazon pictures of folders, totes, locker organizers, and the brand of markers, and so on. When I started school, I had new shoes and a new dress my mom made—I suppose I took a pencil and crayons.

When my kids started school, I remember the thrill of the bus rolling into the front yard and taking my three to the wonderful world of school, while I was once again able to find a long-lost routine.  We bought pencils and notebooks, but the school furnished what they needed. I don’t think they even had backpacks, but I could be wrong.

My point: times have changed—I have not.

Speaking of backpacks on top of fees for this and that and that and this for my grandsons, the cost was ridiculous—I’ll bet some families can’t afford to send kids to school. Add to that football uniforms, shoes, pads, etc. How can families afford to have their kids play sports? Are only rich kids in school—in sports?

The stress of it all must be heavy.

Add to that the cost of food—after football practice at 7:30, the poor kid was hungry, and we were 45 minutes from home; we pulled into one of the chicken places, and good grief—how does a family FEED kids?

I’ve also learned a bit about myself—not all good. I have standards when it comes to manners, cleaning up after oneself, and doing what is asked—now. It’s probably the “now” that gets me on the wrong side of being called “best grandma”. Kids today have minds of their own, and if they don’t agree with what’s happening at home, they call mom or dad. I don’t know what’s discussed until I get a call from mom or dad, and they scold grandma and try to correct her ways.

Well, this grandma is not very correctable. I try to squash my expectations, but they are cemented in my body, soul, and brain. I hear my parents’ voices, and they do not match the working words of today.

My point: times have changed—I have not.

Today’s generation is miles away from mine, but I love-love the kids and will always be a better fun Grandma than a bad substitute parent.

Until the next time: Live while you live