there's a tradition in the filipino family that encourages parents to bring their children to their grandparents' house during weekends. this is to encourage familial closeness and for the younger generation to get to know their elders. i grew up going to my grandparents' house on weekends. they had 11 children, but only around 10 grandkids spent their sundays with them. i have fond memories of playing with my cousins, hearing my mom's siblings go at each other after all these years, hearing why they're still at each other after all these years, hearing my grandma retell how she used charcoal to blacken her face during the war so the japanese soldiers would find her unattractive...
how did you bond with your grandparents?
great tradition!
ReplyDeleteWe would visit them periodically. Once every month or two.
My dad's parents passed away 2 years ago, and I wish I had known them a bit better. I still have great memories with them, though!
I can remember my grandfather, a rather burly German man saying, 'Now come here and give me a schnuggle!' Then he would chase me and cuddle and tickle me. My grandmother was always so tender, gentle and kind that I would love just sitting in her lap and being in her presence.
ReplyDeleteI, like you love seeing the relationship blossom between my mother and stepfather and my children. They get so excited to see them and of course they get completely spoiled whenever they're there.
I didn't really have much of a relationship with any of my grandparents - for various reasons. I was closest to my Dad's father but he passed away when I was still young and we didn't live close. I, and my parents, have made sure to cement the bond between them and my kids. It's a wonderful tradition to spend the weekends together with extended family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me!
That's a great tradition. I grew up in a military family, so I didn't get to see my grandparents all that often, but when we were able to visit, it was SO much fun. I was the closest to my grandma on my mom's side (who sadly passed away almost 10 years ago now), and even when we were far apart, we'd call each other and write letters. I cherished those times so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to be Pinoy. We have a close family ties. Hey, I've given you a Sunshine award. Go and checkout my latest post for the details.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment love on my special SITS day.
ReplyDeleteWe lived about 6 hours away from my grandparents so we would spend a week during the summer with them. They had a second house next door to ours that family would stay at when they came to visit so luckily we still saw them pretty often but not every weekend.
ReplyDeleteNow that my parents live just a mile away they see our son almost every day. If they don't see him one day they act like it's been months. I love that he is so close to them.
It wasn't actually a tradition to go to my grandparent's house on weekends, but we still spent alot of time there. And I have wonderful memories of playing with all my cousins.
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful to read. I wish also that I had known my sets of grandparents better before they all passed away. We lived with my grandmother for one year (my senior year of high school) - she was the last one living out of the four at the time - and the relationship I developed with her during that time is priceless for me. I wish I had not been so self-centered as a teenager and realized how much I would miss them all someday, and especially miss my children knowing them and feeling of their love and wisdom. Your tradition is a wonderful one.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I SO wish we had this tradition in the US. I am not sure what my mother would do though if she had all three of my children every Sunday...I'm absolutely sure it would ship her right on over the edge BUT at the same time, I think it would be really good for her. How great for all parties involved - memories are made, laughs are laughed, and everyone gets to know each other just that much more.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Cheri!
Natalie at Mommy on Fire
http://www.mommyonfire.com