I'm finding that getting older gives you a lot more insight.  As a Grandparent, I might push my glasses onto the end of my nose, sit back, and relax and just take in all that my children and my grandchildren are saying without comment.

Most of the time I just listen.  Remembering when I was that age, I said the same things.   My children did the exact same thing that their children are doing now.   So, I sit back, smile, and say nothing.

After all, did I listen when adults told me something?  I knew older adults did not understand or have a clue to the world around them, they came from a different time, and they weren’t familiar with my situations.  That was what I thought!

So, I let my children learn by experience in raising their children.  I could give them some advice but they most likely wouldn’t listen anyway.    On the other hand, I am still there listening with interest as my grandchildren express their views on life situations.  I smile and see them driving their parents crazy.

 I remember that as a parent I used to worried about the same things and wondered if my children would ever become responsible adults.  My children’s lack of acknowledging my wisdom and advice would make me shutter at times. Their constant laughing, bickering, teasing, and the crazy things they did and said.  Would they ever get serious?

Of course, I know now, what my children have yet to learn.  Children do grow up to make us proud!  Their laughter, bickering, and teasing are too soon replaced with their work and the job of raising their own family.