Friday, August 23, 2013

Joyous Journey - Nana Noeleen

I hope that you understand that I take becoming a first-time Oma industriously. You (Reef) will become a vast part of my life rather quickly. Take my assurance that this Oma will do everything possible to insure that your first years be prolific.

From the moment you arrive, I know that you will teach me what you need. And as I learn, recognize, and provide you with the basics, Oma will also teach Reef about the world around you. Oma does not expect this two-way process to manifest overnight – We will think of it as more of a joyous journey than a destination – it is one of the most important, if not the most significant, journeys you and I can take.

In order to gain firsthand knowledge about grandparenting, Oma interviewed an expert! Noeleen has been grandparenting for over twenty-five years for her nine grandchildren!

Nana Noeleen - Twenty-five years and nine grandchildren


Oma: What are your grandchildren’s first names and ages:

Nana Noleen: 
  1. Bradley - 25 years
  2. Adrian - 20 years
  3. Russell - 18 years
  4. Lachlan - 9 years
  5. Rhianna - 7 years
  6. Alexis - 6 years
  7. Addison - 5 years
  8. Samuel - 3 years
  9. Oliver - 1 year
Oma: What do your grandkids call you?

Nana Noleen: They all call me Nana.

Oma: What are your favorite things to do with your grandkids?

Nana Noleen: Depending on the age of the grandchild in question, our favorite things include baking a cake, reading a book, playing some games on the Wii, supervise some browsing Children's sites on the Internet & going for a walk along our Walking Tracks.

Oma: What is the most important thing you have taught your grandchildren?

Nana Noleen: Good manners should be always used, especially a "Please & Thank You" when it is appropriate. Sharing of toys and treats is also something that I like to see the grandkids do. Well behaved children seem to be disappearing these days.

Oma: What is the most important thing you have learned from your grandchildren?

Nana Noleen: My grandchildren seem to be able to roll with the punches. If they have a bad day, it gets forgotten and they start off fresh the next day. I try to adopt that positive attitude to life, it sometimes works.

Oma: What is the hardest part of being a grandmother?

Nana Noleen: The tyranny of distance is my biggest hardship. Some of my grandchildren live over two thousand kilometers away and we only have Facebook and Skype communication.

Oma: What is your advice for a first time grandma?

Nana Noleen: Enjoy every minute of it. When I had my first baby, I really appreciated that my Mum and Mother-in-law would drop in the occasional cooked meal. I have returned the favor to find that my family loved it when I leave a casserole or soup or cake. It's a little treat for a busy new Mum.

Thank Nana Noleen for the excellent insight.

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