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On becoming a granddad

It seems just like yesterday that Talia was a toddler who loved nothing more than to be pushed on the playground swings. Then one day I turned around and Joe was asking me if he could marry her. And then a few days ago the two of them told Karen and I that they were pregnant. Wow. I'm s…
By Seth Barnes
By Seth Barnes

It seems just like yesterday that Talia was a toddler who loved nothing more than to be pushed on the playground swings.

Then one day I turned around and Joe was asking me if he could marry her. And then a few days ago the two of them told Karen and I that they were pregnant.

Wow. I'm still digesting that one. I still don't know what grandchildren should call me (I welcome your suggestions).

Of course it's going to be great to be a granddad (though I'm just trying to figure out how I feel about being married to a grandma). Some quotes I like:

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting.  ~Author Unknown

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.  ~Mary H. Waldrip

A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television.  ~Author Unknown

When a child is born, so are grandmothers.  ~Judith Levy

The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy.  ~Sam Levenson

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance.  They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life.  And, most importantly, cookies.  ~Rudolph Giuliani

I always give my grandkids a couple of quarters when they go home.  It's a bargain.  ~Gene Perret

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful.  One moment you're just a mother.  The next you are all-wise and prehistoric.  ~Pam Brown

Being grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be friends.  ~Allan Frome

Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is good because Pop-pops have only so many horsey rides in them.  ~Gene Perret

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window.  ~Ogden Nash

The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents.  You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.  ~Dave Barry

Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers.  ~Lewis Mumford

Comments (11)

  • James Eugene Barbush

    Congrats Seth

    Being a G-Dad cannot be described. It’s like nothing else.

    In a little over 4 years, I’ve been given 7 G-Kids with the 8th due in Dec 2012. 5 boys and 3 girls. Amazing.

    I leave it to the G-Kids to determine what to call me. That keeps it fun.

    Hayden (#2) calls us PaPal and MamMal. Seems he could not get Gandpa and Grandma. So it came out PaPal and MamMal.

    Landon (#5) calls me Pa, which seems short for PaPal. And he picked up on MamMal.

    Addison (#4) call me Pappy.

    I’m old school, and would have picked Grandpa, but turns out that PaPal is unique, and Pa is quite endearing. So, I suggest, let the G-Kids name you. They will come up with the right name.

    what’s the due date?

  • (This blog made me chuckle.) My peer’s grandchildren are the age of my one and only, so I’m hoping to experience grandparenting! Perhaps in a few years…. 🙂 You’ve got a BRAND NEW adventure ahead…never before experienced!

  • Wow!!!!! A big congratulations to You, Mama Karen {Guess Grandma Karen now(LOL)}, Joe and Talia. Indeed you’ve got a BRAND NEW adventure coming. It’s worth every second of it.

  • Congrats Seth! Fantastic!

    As a recent grand dad (since last September 25th), I can say the journey is a wonderful Blessing. Our “Miss Emily” is an endless source of joy, happiness, and laughter. I am “pops” by the way, obviously short for grand pop. The only down side is “gramie” Cindy missing Miss E so much when she is not around. 😉

    Very best to all, congratulations again!
    John Hodgin

  • First of all, we’ll be praying for Talia, Joe and the baby. This is very exciting as you know, a baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on. I love holding babies! Lizzy told me about this and even she is excited.

    I vote for waiting to see what they name you. Hope it’s better than “the old man”.

    Congrats!

  • Wow!! What exciting news for your family! CONGRATS to both you and Karen! It is just another fine and wonderful chapter in our journey through life!

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Seth Barnes

I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.



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