Donna Vickroy: A little bit of chaos is life-affirming if it comes courtesy of the grandkids

Chicago Tribune

18-04-2025

You're never too old to grow.
Sure, it's important for grandparents to share knowledge and skills with their grandchildren. From recipes to hobby hacks to family lore, there is much to be said for handing down treasures that can enrich a child's life.
But, remember, the love supply chain goes both ways. In exchange for our time and attention, these little humans radiate joy, stretch our imaginations and introduce us to new challenges, all the while reminding us of what really matters in life.
For example:
Nothing warms the heart more than a smiling child running up your walkway because they can't wait to see you.
Car seats are as heavy as the car and as complicated as a power grid. But we can meet the moment because they're counting on us and we've got places to go.
It is essential to have a drawer strictly devoted to wound care, in assorted shapes, sizes and glow-in-the-dark colors. Because sometimes only a tie-dyed tourniquet will make a hangnail feel better.
A sanguine smile turns a dropped popsicle, shattered Christmas ornament, trampled tomato seedling and the phrase, 'I almost made it to the bathroom,' into an easy fix.
To truly dance with abandon is to be under age 10.
If they can memorize 20 sight words, you can remember which characters are heroes and which are villains.
Crash Bandicoot, Bowser, and Shadow all have interesting back stories you should know about.
One way to inspire make-believe ideas is to Google the meaning of their first name.
Everything tastes better dipped in peanut butter.
You are never too old to wear face paint, an Ursula mask or a SpongeBob tattoo.
Did you know that once you get the hang of making slime, you can easily slide into mermaid slime, floam slime, unicorn slime and spaghetti slime?
Don't toss that ribbon/Styrofoam/cardboard delivery box away. 'I have an idea.'
If you move tables, rearrange chairs, make several batches of popcorn and turn off all the lights, your house can become a movie theater. Of course, the youngest patrons get the recliners.
Some kids don't mind getting dirty; others mind it a lot. Keep extra clothes on hand.
The youngest player is so helpful. He will not only find you a great hiding place, he will promptly alert the seeker to where you're hidden.
Hallmark can't compete with a birthday card made by a 5-year-old.
A clean house is really a blank canvas, just waiting to be transformed into a fairy forest or a fancy restaurant or a lava-spewing volcanic park. So, 'let's get started.'
No, it doesn't make any sense that you can have breakfast for dinner but not dessert for lunch.
Children possess an inner filing system for every Barbie dress, Matchbox car, colored marker and polished rock. Don't think you can toss things without consequence.
Hosting an art show with all of their recent works will make them glow – and your living room come alive.
It doesn't matter how lopsided the cake comes out or how sparse the frosting job is, if they made it, you can't wait to eat it.
If you say they can have 10 raspberries, they will look you in the eye as they count out 11.
If you let them choose who sits where for dinner, they just might jump at the task of setting the table.
Washing hands is so much more fun if you sing the birthday song while they do it.
If they ask who you love most, tell them the answer is in the mirror.
Spring flowers are 'beautiful,' including 'dandy-lions.' So, yes, grab a vase.
You will never win the argument that a grandma going down the tunnel slide at the park is not a good idea.
Parents may be wonderful but sometimes they need a break from the chaos — almost as much as grandparents need a visit with the chaos.