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| Women learn how to wash babies with dolls at a public health center in western Seoul in this Aug. 16, 2009, file photo. / Korea Times |
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There is one event I've been anticipating and counting down to since spring — the month-long grandparents' visit from Korea. Not my grandparents, but the twins' grandparents. So yes, that would make them my parents.
It's funny how I have to remind myself these days that they're my parents. I find my mom and dad in the role of grandparents so much more that I sometimes forget that they were my parents first before the twins came along.
The last time we were together was more than six months ago, so you can imagine the level of excitement for grandma and grandpa to see their granddaughters. It was quite a dramatic reunion at the international terminal.
They came to celebrate the girls' first birthday that's in two weeks, but so far, the girls have been showered with so much love that every day feels like their birthday.
It's only been a few days, but I can say with confidence that if there were anyone in this world who would take better care for my girls than me, it would be my parents.
Growing up, my mom was very strict and rigid. I was always expected to behave, clean up after myself and follow directions starting as young as I can remember. That's the mom I knew then and the mom I know now.
So the past few days, I've been in total shock to see the side of mom that I never, ever knew before. "Strict" and "rigid" are words no longer in her vocabulary.
The way she treats her granddaughters is with complete lenience and flexibility.
So why wasn't mom like this when she raised me and my sister? She said I'll only know when I become a grandmother myself.
Yes, there's no way I'll know now. Right now, I'm more like my mom when she raised us — strict and rigid. I like to go by my rules and expect the girls to obey.
I follow scheduled nap times regardless of whether the girls are sleepy or not, feed them only in their high chairs no matter how much they fuss about it, and try not to cater to each and every demand the little ones make.
Basically, I make sure they know that I'm the boss. That's the only way I'm able to keep my sanity with two active toddlers running around.
But grandma and grandpa do things a little — actually, a lot — different.
They let the girls sleep when they want to sleep, they feed them wherever and whenever they want to eat, and make sure their needs are always met fully and quickly.
It's no wonder Baby A and Baby B fell madly in love with their grandparents in no time.
At first, I stressed about such a big gap between my parenting and my parents' grand parenting.
But seeing the girls so happy and satisfied, it didn't take long for me to realize that my daughters have every right to be spoiled by their grandparents, as much as my parents have every right to give as much love as they want to their grandchildren.
I may have to deal with some withdrawal symptoms after mom and dad leave, but that's something I'll have to deal with and worry about later when the time comes.
Right now, we still have a good three weeks left of quality family time and I intend to let my parents do their grandparent thing as much as they want.
Can grandparents ever give too much love? The answer, easily, is no.
So far, the love I've seen is endless and unconditional. It's love at a completely different level from what I can give.
Like mom said, I guess the only way I'll truly understand their love is when I have grandchildren of my own, something I'll realize 30 years down the road.
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