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Kids, grandparents share an inexplicable bond
Published: 8/30/2012 10:52 AM
Last Modified: 8/31/2012 4:29 PM


Bill and Harrio Sherman with granddaughters Emma, left, and Abby.

Never trust anyone who says they like growing old. As the cliche says, they’ll lie about other things too.

But for my wife and I, getting older held one unexpected blessing: grandkids.

One of the great mysteries of life, and joys of growing older, is that inexplicable bond between kids and their grandparents.

One wise grandfather gave a lighthearted answer for why his granddaughter is so crazy about him: “I just give her everything she wants.”

My pastor jokingly offers another explanation: kids and their grandparents share a common enemy: the parents.

But the truth, I suspect, is deeper than that.

Grandparents - those fortunate enough not to inherit parenting responsibilities from absent or irresponsible parents – are in the sweet position of being free to offer their grandkids unconditional love and acceptance. It doesn’t take effort or sacrifice. It just comes naturally. You look at those little faces and you just want to hand out that extra piece of cake, or postpone that bedtime.

You know they’re not perfect, and they will need lots of discipline and correction, but you know that doesn’t fall to you. That’s the parents’ job. And so you can love them and enjoy them just the way they are.

That might account, in part at least, for that sweet bond kids share with their grandparents. I’m always amazed at how delighted my grandkids are to show up at our house, and how much they enjoy hanging out with a couple two generations removed from them.

One of my sons once told me he loved watching my mother watch her grandkids, sitting with a quiet, approving smile that expressed perfect acceptance.

And grandkids aren’t the only blessing of the older years.

I just can’t remember any others right now.

Bill's previous blog entries:


  • Aug. 23: Grandpas are made for fishing

  • Aug. 2: Yearning for the good old days

  • July 26: Should we now feel guilty about going to Batman?

  • July 18: Rocky Mountain high

  • July 11: Making memories in the garden

  • June 27: Preemies challenge parents and grandparents


    • Written by
    Bill Sherman
    Staff Writer



    Reader Comments 3 Total
    My husband's parents have both passed way, so I am grateful for the time my parents -- and my grandmother -- get to spend with my kids.
    "Kids and their grandparents share a common enemy: the parents."

    Parents are supposed to say no. Grandparents get to say yes.
    Thunder196 (6 months ago)
    What a great article. It is true there is bond that is unexplainable between grand kids and grandparents. Unconditional love at it's finest.
    3 comments displayed


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    Because I Said So

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    Bill Sherman, grandfather of 12

    He and his wife have six children and 12 grandchildren and he enjoys running around town on his dorky scooters and watching the Green Bay Packers. He moved to Tulsa in the 1980s to attend Bible school. Sherman is the Tulsa World’s religion writer.

    Rod Walton, father of four

    He and his wife Laura have been married since 1989. They have four children -- Rachel, 20; Rebecca, 18; Hayley, 15, and Will, 13. Walton is a business writer for the Tulsa World Business section and covers the energy industry.

    Colleen Almeida Smith, mother of two

    She and her husband have two daughters, ages 7 and 12. She loves reading and anything about food -- cooking it, eating it, and reading and writing about it. Almeida Smith is an assistant editor.

    Michael Overall, father of a toddler

    His 4-year-old son will introduce himself to people as “Gavin Jared Overall, My Daddy’s Buddy.” Gavin likes model trains, iPads and sleeping late, except on the weekends, when he likes to get up early. Overall is a general assignment reporter for the Tulsa World city desk.

    Althea Peterson, mother of an infant

    She recently returned to work at the Tulsa World after two months of maternity leave with her daughter. She followed her older brother from rural Wisconsin to the University of Oklahoma. Peterson is a staff writer who also contributes to the Weather World blog.

    June Straight, mother of two

    With seven years between their daughters, she and her husband split their time between dealing with dirty diapers from one kid and dirty looks from the other. Straight is a designer for the Tulsa World.

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