Grandparents sometimes wonder and talk about what their grandkids will remember about them. Will they remember that they were fun or funny or that they taught them wise things about the world or taught them how to bake cookies or told them wonderful stories? I'm pretty sure that the main thing my grandkids will remember about me is that it was a really bad idea to hide from Grandmom.
I know kids think it is fun to hide and hear you calling and calling for them while they crouch down and giggle in their hiding place. I don't think it is fun or funny. When I can't find a kid, I panic. Even at home when I know they are around somewhere I don't like it one bit if I can't find them.
One of my granddaughters found this out a few years ago when I was staying with her at her house and she thought it would be funny to hide from me in the basement. By the time she finally emerged I had called her mom and was considering calling the police. I know, I know, an over reaction but I can't help it.
This morning my 3 year old grandson was at my house and I called him several times and got no response. Yes, we did find him hiding behind the curtain in the bedroom. He came out with a big smile on his face. I did not have a big smile on my face and I think the poor kid will think twice before he hides from me again.
I think maybe this stems from an incident many years ago when my son was about 5 years old. He had a friend over playing and the little boy, as boys do, thought it would be fun to hide. I was completely panicked that I had lost some one else's child by the time we found him. He thought it was funny and when his mom picked him up she thought it was funny. I. did. not. think. it. was. funny!
Needless to say, I am not a big fan of playing hide and seek with the kids so they have made up a game called Dumb Hide and Seek. There are lots of rules but the basis of the game is that you just pretend you can't see the other players. I have to give them credit for what they are willing to do for their dumb, crazy grandmom.
Hi, Jeanie! I don't consider you dumb or crazy. I would be alarmed and certainly not amused if I was in charge of watching children and one went missing and did not respond to my calls. Too many bad things happen to children without adult supervision. Hiding and not answering is not fun or funny and parents who take it lightly are wrong. You are a responsible, conscientious grandparent and should feel proud of yourself.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, dear friend Jeanie!
I don't think that kids hiding is very funny either. Except when I did when I was a kid. Then it was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you would not be amused. There are other things our grandkids have found amusing and we did not: throwing $20 bills down the air ducts, unrolling all the toilet paper and running through the house with it....but these were not frightening. Thinking you've lost a kid could definitely be scary.
ReplyDeleteI understand exactly how you feel. My youngest child was famous for that. He played this trick on my in downtown Denver once. I was in such a panic that I too nearly called the police. He knew where he was and didn't understand why I was upset. My grandkids play this game even now that they are teenagers with each other. I just make sure they know they better not hide from me.
ReplyDeleteIt is not funny!!
ReplyDeleteNot a good thing to do to anyone. I actually lost my child at the beach for 15 minutes. She wasn't hiding, just making new friends. It was the longest 15 minutes of my life and I do not wish the feelings I had on anyone! Great post, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Jeanie! That would scare me too! It is different if it is a known game of hide and seek, but not if they go "missing" on you and won't come out when you call them. And I agree, it in theory is cute to them because they don't realize the seriousness of it, but it too would bother me if they didn't come when called. I think you are wise to let them know this is something you don't want happening.
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't help in your wondering what your grandchildren will remember about you because I didn't get to know 3/4 of my grandparents, them having passed before I was born and my grandmother, my mom's mom only spoke Polish so there was a language barrier. What I really remember about her is she was afraid of thunder storms and hated to be alone during them, so when we still lived in the area she lived, if my mom knew my uncle was at work (he lived with her), and she heard a storm in the distance, she would gather us up to go over there to be with her during the storm. At a young age of seven and below, it made a lasting impact on me so when I had kids, I made sure they weren't afraid of thunder storms (in fact we went the other way, LOL, they welcomed storms as long as there wasn't damage from them).
betty
I know what you mean. That would make me call the cops, too.
ReplyDeleteYep, my wife has to know where the enitire family is at any given moment. She sings in the choir at church and she is not comfortable until she has spotted where every family member is sitting in the sanctuary. I used to sit in a different location every week just to see how long it would take her to find me. She was not amused. Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteI know that when I have that situation (and someday I hope I will!) I will completely go berserk if I can't find them. I don't think you are the slightest bit nuts. It's one thing if you know where they are when they are out of your sight but to just disappear -- oh, no!
ReplyDeleteI remember my grandma taught me how to bake and I remember picking fruit and veggies at their farm and coloring with the special box of crayons they kept and playing dress-up in her room. She wasn't a "play" grandma, but I loved her to bits and remember so much about her. She was "good people."
Oh, geez. I hadn't even thought of this yet. I've played hide and seek but as of now, the boys are too young to think about just plain hiding and scaring the bejeezus outta Gramma — which I'm sure it would. Poor you. Glad the kids are willing to dumb it down for you.
ReplyDeleteThis made my heart pound. I don't like when kids hide from me either! And I always thought I was crazy when I got anxious over hide and seek.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you shared this!
Although most of our Grandlittles are far away right now, it's good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way!
Happy Wednesday!
I agree with you and know exactly what you mean. My daughter disappeared when she was four. We lived in a large apartment complex and she never drifted far from her brother 15 months her senior. The entire complex was on alert and we all searched and called and looked everywhere and just as I was ready to call the police she came skipping out of a friend's apartment where she had been watching cartoons. Let's just say she never disappeared again without asking or letting me know where she would be.
ReplyDeleteI don't like hide and seek games much either.
ReplyDeleteOne time when Griffin was still only crawling I 'lost' him in the house. I was frantic, Stew was frantic... hell everyone was frantic trying to find him.
We searched under every bed, behind curtains etc... and still could not find him.
We were about to call the Police in a mad panic when I thought of double checking under every bed again... because we had valances on every bed... and I found him, under a bed but behind the valance on the far side! I have never been so scared in my life, or so relieved to have found him. I burst into tears!