An 85-year-old grandma calls herself a “Grinchy granny” as she loves her grandkids but prefers not to see them at Christmas.
Marie is an 85-year-old grandmother who loves her seven grandkids.
However, as Christmas approaches, she feels overwhelmed.
She enjoys spending time with her family but wants to set some boundaries.
Marie lives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and she has decided that she needs to take care of herself during the holiday season.
85-year-old grandma reveals she doesn’t want grandkids around at Christmas despite loving them
The grandma describes her grandkids as “freeloaders”
They come to her house every Christmas, bringing noise and chaos.
“They bicker and argue, and they mess up my house,” she says.
Not only do they make a mess, but they also expect her to provide everything, from food to entertainment.
Marie explains that she is tired of being the one who does all the cooking.
“Somebody is vegan, someone is lactose intolerant, and another one doesn’t eat beef,” she complains.
“I love my grandkids, but I can’t do it all,” she admits.
This makes meal planning a stressful task.
Grandparents often experience burnout from constant caregiving demands.
Many grandparents face similar challenges during the holidays.
The term “grandparent burnout” is becoming more common.
Just like parents can feel overwhelmed, grandparents can feel the same way, especially during busy times like Christmas.
A study from Finland’s University of Turku found that caring for young children can be exhausting for older adults.
They may have less energy and find it hard to keep up with the demands.
“Caring for young children is challenging, particularly for older adults with limited reserves of strength,” noted study authors from Finland’s University of Turku.
“Active grandparenting could overburden older adults and lead to grandparents’ decreased health and well-being.”
Marie is not alone in her feelings.
Many grandparents want to enjoy their retirement without the extra stress of constant childcare.
They want to relax and enjoy their golden years.
Some grandparents, like Katie Peterson from Oklahoma City, have found ways to balance their grandparenting duties.
Katie limits her visits with her granddaughter, Sage, to one day a week. “I have a life outside of grandparenting,” she says.
This allows her to have time for her own interests, such as traveling and spending time with friends.
Katie also emphasizes the importance of communication with her family.
She tells her son and daughter-in-law her plans for the holidays without pressuring them to bring Sage over.
This way, she can enjoy family gatherings without feeling overwhelmed.
@keepupwithkatie I’ll get judged for saying this, but it’s true! Grandparenting is the best, but so tiring🤪🤣 #grandma #grandparents #grandparentsoftiktok #grandmasoftiktok #sleepover #lovemygrandbaby #emptynest #emptynesters #emptynesterstiktok #emptynesterlife
Another grandma, Tammie Kelton, has a different approach.
She has decided not to buy Christmas gifts for her grandkids.
Instead, she puts money into savings accounts for their future.
“They don’t need more plastic junk,” she explains.
While this decision has drawn criticism from some, Tammie believes that investing in their future is more important than giving them toys.
She sees her role as preparing them for life rather than just giving them gifts.
