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About This Quiz
They say that grandparents always get on the best with kids as they have a mutual enemy. There's a certain truth to this joke, as grandparents and children always have a different perspective on the parents in the mix. Of course, grandparents have an additional layer of wisdom to bring to the mix, as they were once parents themselves. That means they can often understand things in a new way, offering a little more distance, fresher eyes, and the benefit of experience.
That's part of why grandparents can be such a valuable presence in a child's life. The other reason is that it really does take a village to raise a child. Taking some strain off the parents by stepping in to take care of the grandchildren is only the start of it. Children also benefit hugely from having someone in their corner who they can confide in, who is outside of their immediate circle at home. They can hear a different point of view and learn stories about things that happened before they were born. They may enjoy someone to stay with or go on trips with, and they get to be spoiled for a while without it turning them into a total brat!
Truly, a wonderful and involved grandparent is a blessing. A grandma, in particular, can be a genuinely wonderful influence and support for a child and the family generally, as she is statistically more likely to be highly involved, and as a mother herself from a time when mothers were rather more involved than fathers, she has a particularly useful "resume" that can benefit both mothers and fathers today
Are you the greatest granny of them all? Let's find out!
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At what age do you think children are cutest?
My grandkids are always the cutest.
From age 3-11.
From age 11-18 when you can have more fun with them.
Over age 18 when they are less needy.
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A grandchild breaks something in your home. It was an accident. What happens now?
They apologize and we clean it up. I eat the cost. These things happen.
I try to hide that I am upset but I do demand an apology.
My kids replace it.
They are banned from my home for a period of time.
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Your grandchild tells you a secret but asks you not to tell the parent. Do you keep it?
Absolutely, unless it is something like pregnancy that will require decisions to be made, but I help them tell the parents in that case.
Generally, unless it is something the parents have a right to know.
Probably not. I can't keep secrets.
Yes. I don't really trust their parents either!
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What do you always have on you when you hang out with the kids?
A veritable pharmacy
Candy
Money
A plan to cut things short
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How much babysitting do you do?
More than once a week, though it's not babysitting when it is your flesh and blood!
Once a week at least
Once a month
None
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How often do you and your grandkids communicate independently of the parents' involvement?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
I don't think we ever have.
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How close are you to the parent who ISN'T your child?
Very. They are like another child to me!
We are good friends.
We aren't best friends or anything but we have mutual respect and trust.
Oh goodness, they are the literal worst!
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Do you ever go out of the country without telling the family?
I don't leave TOWN without telling them!
I would not do this.
I did, but I felt bad.
All the time!
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How near do you live to the family?
Within 10 miles
Within 50 miles
Within a day trip
Another continent
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How many grandkids' birthdays could you remember without checking?
All of them
A couple
I'm not very good at dates.
I can barely remember how many grandkids there are.
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However frequently or infrequently you talk, by what means do you communicate with your grandkids?
Social media
Texting
E-mail
Calling
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Have you ever looked after a sick grandchild so their parents could go to work?
Yes, for months at a time once, it was awful but it was my honor to be able to help.
Yes, here and there
I've made the offer but they have not taken me up on it.
No. Do I look like a babysitter?
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If you can, do you contribute financially to your grandkids' upbringing on an ongoing basis?
I have a standing payment to the parents' accounts for their use, plus I have committed to put up a chunk for college.
I pay when I can, plus I'm leaving them my apartment!
I give them a gift of cash here and there.
I don't even pay for them when we go out. I make their parents send me the funds.
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What is a typical outing for you and the grandkids?
We go to the park and play ball or run around with my dog!
We have dinner and see a movie.
We go to the museum.
We see a Broadway show I wanted to see anyway.
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If you say you'll pick up the kids at 7 p.m., what time do you typically arrive?
6.45 p.m.
7 p.m.
7.15 p.m.
Sometime before 7.30 p.m.
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The parents say there is a no ice cream rule. Do you flout it?
Only once in a while
Probably not
Yes. I want the granny points!
If I want ice cream, ice cream happens!
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How much do your coworkers (or if you are retired, your friend group) know about your grandkids?
Everything. I know I bore them, but I don't care! I'm just so proud!
Quite a bit
They know they exist.
They'd be surprised that I have any.
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Do you feel obliged to show up for the family all the time?
No, they put no pressure on me. I'm delighted to do it anyway.
Yes, but it is mostly my pleasure.
Yes, and sometimes it makes me anxious.
No. I did my time.
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Have any of your grandkids ever solicited your advice?
Yes, often
Once or twice
Only on things like what to get their parents for their birthday
Nope
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At school, your grandkids are asked to draw Grandma doing her favorite thing. What do they draw?
I'm hanging out with them!
I'm going to a museum or theater.
I'm running my business.
I'm on a beach somewhere.
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What sort of pet do you have?
A friendly dog who loves the grandkids
A slightly prickly cat who tolerates the grandkids
An aloof bird who fascinates the grandkids, but ignores them
I hate animals.
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If money were no object, what is the first thing you'd do for your grandkids?
Pay for private school, a college and an apartment each for when they graduate
College fund plus I'd keep a place nearer them so I could see them more
Better quality childcare for them now, plus downpayments on houses when the time comes
I suppose I'd leave them a nice chunk of change. I can't take it with me.
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Part of grandparenting means accepting that you may have your own needs soon. Have you made plans for retirement, medical and a will?
Yes, it is all in order.
I don't have all the paperwork and plans ready but I've started talking to my kids.
I have an idea of what I want.
I don't even have a will.
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Do you spend one-on-one time with the parent who IS your child?
Yes, we are closer than ever!
When we can
Once in a while
No, we never got on and we're not going to start now.
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Is any time of day off-limits for the parents to call you with a grandkid-related emergency?
No. I would come back from the moon if they asked!
If it is a real emergency, then I guess any time is OK.
Yes, I am not a morning or graveyard shift person.
I don't pick up at the best of times so this is not an issue for me.
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Would you ever move to another town to be close to your grandkids?
I already did!
No, but I would travel often.
Only if it was somewhere I wanted to go anyway
Nope
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What is the best thing about having grandchildren?
Watching them becoming who they are going to be, and loving them.
Having a legacy and someone to love
Knowing there is someone who will look after me if I need it!
Nothing really
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Do you have a favorite grandchild?
Nope, they are all wonderful in their own ways.
Yes, but I never show it, and I will take that information to the grave.
Yes, though I do try to hide it.
I don't really like any of them!
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Many grandparents promise childcare or financial support to tip their kids toward having children sooner rather than later. Be honest: if you made such a promise, have you kept it?
I made many promises, I meant it, and so far, I've kept them all.
I made a few promises and mostly kept them.
I may have oversold what I would do.
I made no promises and wouldn't have kept them anyway.
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What is your number one worry as a grandparent?
My grandkids being hurt or unhappy
I don't really have any.
I'm not there enough.
There won't be resources to take care of me if necessary.
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