This Is a Rant.

Grandparents are younger now then they were years ago. A lot of them may have been working and just couldn't make it, or maybe they weren't told about it. Either way it's no excuse for them not to do their darndest to come as it's not like it's the entire day, it's only a few hours, right?

Although it is sad, maybe parents are working or the child doesn't have any living grandparents that leave nearby. Either way, I always find it sad when a kid doesn't have a family member show up at school for some sort of event like that. I don't remember if my school had any events where the grandparents were supposed to come, but I'm sure if my school did, my grandma would have showed up. I feel like she did come to my school a few times for things but I can't remember because it was so long ago.

They didn't have "grand parent" days back when I (we) went to school, but the only one who could'a come to mine would've been my mother, since all the rest of the family was back East.

There are many reasons why a grandparent couldn't be there, not the least of which is not being told about the occasion. I remember, years ago when I lived in Vancouver, I came home to Ontario for a visit in time to attend a nephew's first communion. He was so proud and happy to have me there, that he "Show and Tell"-ed me. You're a good gramma.

My son's grandparents on both sides are no longer here. My husband works and I don't have a car, though my husband made sure I did last year and instead of calling it "Grandparents Day" they called it "Buddy Day" A couple of his friend's also had their moms there instead of a grandparent. Unfortunately if we can't get it together this year, my son won't have anyone there, but I sure am going to try.

I went to every function that I could including grandparent's day for my grandson. I don't know why other people can't go but they may have some really good reasons, so I can't really say too much without hearing them. If there is no really good reason, then yes, shame on them. I do feel sorry for those children.

I just moved to a new city with my kids. My younger son attends the school that I work at. They are having their Grandparents' Day the day after tomorrow. But he won't be having his grandparents there:-( For one...the special day was decided yesterday. My son is in the school choir and he won't have his grandparents there to see him sing. My parents are in a different continent and my in-laws stay around 8-9 hours from here and couldn't care less about either one of my kids. After reading your post, I am considering asking my uncle who stays an hour away ..to attend the programme. He is my mother's brother.

oh yes I would go too! but I havent even heard of one here for grand parents but then to we are only the 2nd week of school year I do know teacher told me if I want to go n feild trips get the paper back to her fast! I didnt get to go last year and CHeyenne was very up set she cried

Did you mention this last year? It seems I remember someone commenting about not a lot of grandparents showing up for grandparents day. I remember it made whoever it was that posted about it very sad. My grandparents lived hours away from me when I was growing up, and they both worked. But I think had they lived closer they would have taken time off. But three hours away is just too long.

It is so sad that now days there isn't the participation in a child's life and functions. Both parents HAVE to work to make ends meet, and the children come home to an empty house. Many parents have waited until later in life to have children and by the time that children are school age the grand parents have passed away, or live so far away that it is nearly impossible for them to join in on the events. In old times parents and grand parents took an active interest in their children and their events. People didn't move thousands of miles away from family and they were there for their families, stepping in to help their parents when the parents got older and couldn't manage to do as much work. Nursing homes weren't options, and neither were homes for children with severe physical and developmental problems. Respect for each other was taught, along with unconditional love. Now it's too easy to put grandparents in a facility (or closet them away) with the excuse that they get better care at a facility and that the people don't have the time to devote caring for Mom and Dad. It is now far easier to put them in a "closet" and forget about them and forget to allow their children to get to know their grand parents. It robs the children of the joy of having a family member at their side for the events. Even when I was growing up I missed having my parents attend school functions with me. It hurt badly when all the other kids had a parent or grand parent attend and I was there alone. You're right, an aunt, cousin, or even a neighbor could have stood in. There are a lot of older citizens that don't have grand kids that could be adopted as a foster grand parent. This would allow the child an opportunity to bond with someone who has "been there when", and learn history first hand, benefit from the experiences that the foster grand parent has had, and give the foster grand parent someone to love and hug and keep themselves feeling young for. I am the same way, I don't get around too well, don't feel good most of the time, and live in the middle of nowhere but I will drop everything to attend one of my granddaughter's functions. It is important to the child and the memory of your being there will last forever!

It is sad when they have an event like that and family don't show up. I know there are reasons and such but I can't imagine anything worse for a child than to not have someone there with them on a special day. I am glad you got to go.

I wholly agree with you, Jo. I was very sad last year when I couldn´t go to my grandchildren´s school acts (I guess I even missed a couple of birthdays) due to my chemo. But this year I´m making up for it and I can´t understand people who just don´t care. We have our national Holiday in September and even toddlers do something to celebrate. Two days ago, I went to see Sofía, all dressed up, showing her talents with other children. I´m ebclosing one of the pictures I took so you can see her

hi dearest Jo I know that getting around is a problem for you so hats off to you as you did that anyways as your Grandkids matter to you so much. You are such a great person and an adorable Grandma. We dont have such functions over here in Germany. But I remember my graduation from school with bitterness. My perfectionist mother didnt like what I was going to wear after she decided not to get me what was good looking and in fashion back then. and I assure you what I was going to wear was nice looking and nothing to be ashamed of. She even overdid it so much that a few days before Graduation I knelt on the bare floor asking her to come to the official graduation ceremony nevertheless. She did, not even smiling at me when it was my time to go forward and receive my final grading papers, and then cruelly telling me I got to get back as I cant leave Grandma alone for that long. She was so cold towards me.

Good you were their with the kids. yeah people must at least make sure to send someone with their kids. They must have felt bad that not one came with them on the special day. I am glad you made your grand kids happy. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead.

We did not have grand parent's day when my kids were in school. My kids would likely not have had anyone. Hubby's mom first lived too far away, second, when she moved here had to take care of her mother who had suffered from a stroke. My mom would not have come, she lived too far away as well. She only came for one day when I had the kids, or maybe two.

What is more poignant for little kids is having their loving family in attedance to their school events. you are special to your grandson and your presence add more excitement to him. Parents attandance to any of their children school social events could boost their academic performance. This kind of support have positive impact in the kids life.

I 've been to grandparent's day at our grandchildren's school only twice. This is because They live in Missouri and we live in Texas. The two times I did get to be there for them, I just happened to be visiting at the time. Our youngest grandchild in Missouri entered Jr. High this year, so there will be no more grandparent's day for him. Our youngest grandchild in Texas is home schooled. That means no more grandparent's day for us, unless our great grandson should happen to live nearby when he starts to school. However, the chances of that happening are slim to none. He lives in California now.

I think that families are not as united as they use to be. I would also take into consideration that grandparents did not live near them or that they did not have grandparents or the fact that their grandparents could not physically get there. Unfortunately, in these economic times grandparents are forced to work instead of retire and perhaps that is the case. So many different reasons that so many children lacked relatives. I do agree that if it were my child I would have made every effort to assure that someone from the family went to the class.

How sad that so many other kids didn't have a grandma to come! Well who knows the reasons in all the cases but at least your grandkids had someone there for them and that is the important part! I don't live close to my family and my mother has passed on so I feel sad that my (future) kids might be missing grandparents on those days someday too. :(

My thought is that you are a great grandparent! But, it was sad that all these children didn't have anyone there for them :( Although, I think like you that their parents or grandparents could send someone else like an aunt or uncle.