Who taught you to . . .
By Bill Kasman
@BillKasman1 (49)
Edinburgh, Scotland
February 21, 2016 5:26pm CST
. . . tell the time or tie your shoelaces or use a knife and fork?
Was it your parents - or your grandparents? There is no doubt that grandparents play a pivotal role in raising a child and I don’t just mean providing a childminding service whilst the parents work. Many grandparents spend a lot of time with their grandchildren showing them how to do lots of things - drawing, painting and other crafts.
Grandads will show their grandchildren how to go fishing or how to fly a kite or ride a bike and grans will show them how to bake cakes or how to do embroidery. Grandparents have the time (and the patience) to teach their grandkids many essential life skills - and they do it in a way which doesn’t make it seem like learning - ‘cos it’s fun when gran and grandad do it!
When we became grandparents to Ruby (now 5 ) we both took a hand in caring for her and as she gets older we intend to stay involved in the learning side of life. We will not get in the way of her parents but will ‘fill in the gaps’ which will inevitably appear in her parents’ busy lifestyle and we are doing the same with her younger brother Rory (2)
Fishing, flying kites, riding bikes, climbing trees (and hills) will be my responsibility whilst sewing, baking, painting, dressing-up and the like will fall to their gran.
But it isn’t always grandparents who play this vital role - most children will have a ‘significant adult’ in their life other than their parents. Who was the significant adult in your childhood?
9 people like this
10 responses
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
21 Feb 16
My grandparents were very involved with my sisters and I, and we inevitably learned a lot from them.
We also had an honorary uncle who lived next door, and he was always ready to listen to us and give advice.
I don't have any grandchildren myself.
1 person likes this
@BillKasman1 (49)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
21 Feb 16
As well as our own grandchildren my wife and I are honorary uncle and aunt to a friends' children. Their family situation is ''complicated'' to say the least!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
22 Feb 16
@jaboUK you reminded me that my next door neighbor taught me how to hit a ball with bat. He wasn't really anything "honorary" but our families had known and grown up together for the most part.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
22 Feb 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum We seemed to be much more involved with our neighbours when I was a child - I don't know if it was the same for you.
@allknowing (136446)
• India
22 Feb 16
It was my sister (oldest one) who taught me my alphabets. We used to write on a slate. She would guide my hand and if I did not do it write I would get one clout (lol). All in all it was a joint effort.
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
24 Feb 16
It was mostly my mom until I was about 5 when she married my stepfather. Although my dad was and is still a very important person in my life, my step-dad did a lot for me growing up. I remember when he taught me how to ride a bike. My dad taught me how to fish though. Even though him and my mom did eventually get a divorce, I will always be grateful to him for a lot of things.
My mom though is my rock and will always be there for me.
@crystalvisions (440)
• United Kingdom
4 Mar 16
I adored my grandparents and they taught me a lot. They're good to have in childhood.
@Metsrock69 (3582)
• United States
22 Feb 16
I learned in the streets just like everything else. ok My parents taught me. I had to have some fun with this one
