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Oh, my dear fellow grandmothers, we do have our quirks, don’t we? And while we may think we’re just being ourselves—wise, loving, and well-meaning—sometimes our behaviors leave our grandkids scratching their heads. Here are some common grandma habits that can leave our little (and not-so-little) darlings a bit confused.
1. Saying “I’m Not Hungry” But Eating Off Their Plates
We tell them we don’t need anything, but the moment their plate arrives, we take a little bite here and a little nibble there. “Grandma, I thought you said you weren’t hungry?” Well, dear, we just wanted a taste! And it’s not that we don’t want our own meal; it’s that theirs always seems to look better!
2. Giving Them Money and Then Telling Them Not to Spend It
We slip a crisp bill into their hand, whisper, “Don’t tell your parents,” and then the next sentence out of our mouth is, “Now, don’t go wasting it on silly things!” Bless their hearts, they just don’t know what to do with that conflicting message. If they spend it, we ask, “Are you sure that was a good purchase?” If they save it, we beam with pride. It’s a no-win situation for them, but we just can’t help ourselves!
3. Bringing Up Embarrassing Childhood Stories at the Worst Moments
Oh, we can’t help it! Whether it’s in front of their friends, their significant others, or even their boss one day—those adorable childhood tales just bubble up at the most “inconvenient” times (for them, of course). But isn’t it our duty to keep their history alive? We love reminiscing about the time they wore their underpants on their head or had an imaginary friend named Mr. Pickles. And we tell these stories with such affection, even if they turn ten shades of red!
4. Hoarding Random Things for “Future Use”
Old butter containers, plastic bags, twist ties—we save them all. And when our grandkids ask, “Grandma, why do you have 27 empty margarine tubs?” we simply say, “You never know when you might need one.” We find creative uses for them, too—storing leftovers, sorting buttons, or even organizing jewelry. Our grandkids may shake their heads, but one day, they’ll see the genius in our ways.
5. Insisting They Wear a Jacket No Matter the Weather
It can be 75 degrees outside, but if we feel even the slightest chill, we’re bundling them up. “Grandma, I’m not cold!” we hear, but do we listen? No, because we know better. We’re just trying to keep them healthy, but to them, it feels like we’re always on a mission to overdress them. And heaven forbid they leave the house without a hat—“You’ll catch a cold!” we warn, even if science says otherwise.
6. Saying “Just Resting My Eyes” but Falling Asleep Instantly
We claim we’re not napping, just resting our eyes, but before they can blink, we’re snoring away. The poor things don’t know whether to wake us up or leave us be! We could be watching their favorite show with them, fully engaged one second, and the next, we’re dozing off mid-sentence. But don’t you dare suggest we take a nap—because we weren’t sleeping in the first place!
7. Giving Extremely Vague Advice
Our wisdom is timeless, but sometimes it confuses the young ones. We’ll say things like, “You’ll understand when you’re older” or “It’s just the way things are.” And oh, the frustration on their faces when they want a straightforward answer! We mean well, but sometimes, explaining the nuances of life in a simple way is a challenge. And honestly, some things do only make sense with age.
8. Commenting on Their Outfits… Enthusiastically
Whether they’re dressed to impress or rocking the latest “strange” fashion trends, we always have a comment. “Oh, honey, are you sure that’s what the kids are wearing these days?” or “That’s an interesting choice.” They may not always understand our taste, but they certainly feel our opinion! And let’s be honest, some of those ripped jeans look like they’ve been attacked by a lawnmower!
9. Overfeeding Them Like They Haven’t Eaten in Days
It doesn’t matter if they just ate; we still insist they have another serving. “You’re looking a little thin, sweetheart. Just a little more,” we say, while piling their plate high. They love us, but they’re also baffled by our mission to keep them well-fed at all costs. And don’t even think about skipping dessert—there’s always room for a cookie or a slice of cake.
10. Telling Them They’re Always Our “Little Baby” No Matter Their Age
To us, they’ll always be our sweet little babies, even when they’re towering over us and have children of their own. “Grandma, I’m 30!” they protest. But does that change how we see them? Never. We’ll still ruffle their hair, give them hugs that last a little too long, and insist they be careful crossing the street. They may roll their eyes, but deep down, they know they’ll always have a place in our arms.
11. Asking If They’re Hungry, Then Making Enough Food for a Small Army
It starts with, “Are you hungry?” and no matter their answer, we end up cooking a feast. Our grandkids may not know how one question leads to an entire three-course meal, but we know it’s just in our nature. And of course, we send them home with leftovers—because one meal is never enough.
12. Sending Them Home with Bizarrely Wrapped Leftovers
From old Cool Whip containers to random Ziploc bags tied in ways only a grandmother understands, our leftovers are sent home in the most peculiar packaging. And when they open the fridge later, they wonder, “Is this soup or last week’s spaghetti?”
13. Calling Every Friend and Relative to Share Their Achievements
They ace a test, get a promotion, or even just manage to fold their laundry—and before they know it, the whole family (and the neighbor down the street) has heard about it. “Grandma, did you have to tell everyone?” Oh, but of course we did!
14. Giving Advice That Always Comes Back to Food or Weather
No matter what the issue is, we somehow bring it back to eating properly or staying warm. Stressed about work? “Have a nice meal, dear.” Going through a breakup? “You need some soup.”
Oh, my dear grandmothers, we may confuse our grandkids from time to time, but at the heart of it all is love. These little quirks and habits are what make us us, and one day, when they’re older, they’ll laugh and remember them fondly. Maybe—just maybe—they’ll even find themselves doing the exact same things with their own grandchildren!
