Tell us about your grandchildren: John Thomas (2), Brooks (10 mths), and Lucie Jane (newborn).
Steve and I have three daughters, so we were ecstatic to find out our first grandchild was a boy, John Thomas Young. There is nothing like the first grandchild. His younger brother, Brooks, is very loveable and so curious. He watches everything JT does! We just received the blessing of our first granddaughter on 9-11-24, and we love having a little girl join the cousin crew.
Do your grandchilden live nearby?
All three of my girls live near Pike Road. I appreciate my children for giving me so much time with my grandchildren. I realize not all families are as close as ours. I’m very thankful.
How have your grandchildren changed or strengthened your connection with your own children, their parents?
Through my daughters becoming mothers, they are better able to recognize and understand my decisions as a mother. I love seeing them be aunts to each other’s children. It’s like the grands have three mamas!
What are your favorite things to do with your grandchildren?
Steve and I keep John Thomas and Brooks three days a week. It’s hard work, but we would not have it any other way. When he comes to Chief and CarCar’s, John Thomas loves to ride the tractor and backhoe. We love riding the golf cart and looking for deer. Brooks is getting old enough to watch JT and wants to do whatever Big Brother does.
What’s one of the funniest or most heartwarming things your grandchildren have ever said or done?
John Thomas has a strong vocabulary, so it’s been fun actually having conversations with a two-year-old little boy. He will say, “I pick you up,” when he wants to be carried. He is so loving, yet strong willed. I love to hear him call me CarCar and Steve Chief.
What traditions has your family enjoyed that you hope will continue down through the generations?
Every year, we take a family beach trip. It’s not easy to get four families together at the same time, but we are fortunate that our kids are able and want to make it happen. One other family tradition that my Mom started when I was a child was to buy Christmas PJs for a Christmas Eve gift, so I continued that with my three girls. Now, I also get the grands matching PJs. I love seeing them in their pajamas at my house on Christmas Eve.
They say that becoming a grandparent is the only thing that lives up to the hype. Would you agree?
I remember hearing that grandparenting was the best gig ever. I had a hard time relating because I loved raising my girls and spending time together as a family of five. But let me tell you, there’s nothing like it. We get to play, laugh, and sing to our heart’s desire, without all the worry and stress of the day-to-day details. We love every minute of it.
What is the best grandparent advice you can share?
My advice is to relax and have fun. Don’t take life so seriously around the grands. They need some place to release, relax and enjoy. Why not be that for them? Play, get on the floor, and roll cars around. Sit at the tiny table for a tea party. You won’t regret it!
Bio: Carlyn Russell and her husband, Steve, have three married daughters: Josie, Stevie, and Sadie, and three grandchildren.
Kimberley Carter Spivey is a freelance writer, blogger, author, and entrepreneur. Her debut book Bloom: How to Get from Good Enough to a Life You Love can be purchased on Amazon and girlyouwrite.com.
