Grandson Lessons – Naps Are Good

My fifteen-month-old grandson and I have a meeting of the minds. We enjoy doing things together, and I appreciate his enthusiasm. On the other hand, we both get tired during the day. His parents have jobs and activities to accomplish, but our extremes on the age scaled enjoy some downtime.

Consequently, there’s nothing like a good nap. When he starts yawning and rubbing his eyes, we adjourn for a little shuteye. After a rest, we’re both ready to resume the challenges of youth and aging.

Grandson Lessons – Communication

The lesson today from my now fifteen-month-old grandson is clear communication. Even though he isn’t talking yet, I’m amazed at the number of words he understands. The secret is I talk to him in a clear, normal voice and point out objects to him. As a result, he knows key words such as stroller, clock, books, fan, eat, no, cars, trucks. When I ask him to pick out a book to read, he goes right to his pile of books and selects one of his favorites. When I suggest a stroller ride, he walks over to his stroller and holds onto the side with an expectant grin.

Grandson Lessons – Look at Things from All Angles

My young grandson is constantly teaching me new lessons. As a proud grandfather, I’ve had a chance to watch the little guy as he explores his new universe.

Here’s an example. When he’s given a new block, he turns it around in his hands and looks at all sides. This has reminded me that I don’t need to take things from a one-sided viewpoint. There are often many dimensions to an issue. I don’t need to go with the quick answer but can investigate to more thoroughly understand a topic.

Grandson Lessons – Good Books

Our fourteen month old grandson loves books. We have a basket of books in our living room, and when he comes over, he picks out his favorites for us to read to him. He will also carry a loved book all over the house with him. His current book of choice is The Happy Man and His Dump Truck. This was first published in 1950, and I read it as a child.

Our grandson also loves trucks becoming extremely excited on days when garbage trucks or street sweepers are in the neighborhood. So the content of this book appeals to him. It has a positive message of a happy man who enjoys driving his dump truck and is friendly to a group of animals. But horror of all horrors, this old book is not PC. It shows the animals accepting a ride with a stranger. Then they sit in the truck bed. And they don’t use seatbelts. But it does promote diversity since animals of all types and shapes get to ride in the dump truck. That’s the trouble with being a writer. I see too many different dimensions of a children’s book. Our grandson just enjoys a good truck book.