{"id":110,"date":"2013-09-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-09-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/empowernetwork.com\/karendenise\/grandmothers-resist-the-temptation\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T21:53:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:53:53","slug":"grandmothers-resist-the-temptation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empowernetwork.com\/karendenise\/grandmothers-resist-the-temptation\/","title":{"rendered":"Grandmothers \u2013 Resist the Temptation!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I tell you grandmothers \u2013 resist the temptation<\/span>! \u00a0The temptation to be like everyone else and follow the crowd. \u00a0After all the years we have lived, it\u2019s time for us to get off the bandwagon and walk down our own road. \u00a0Make our own way and stop falling prey to the mob.<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m speaking about is getting caught up in this holiday hype. \u00a0Does it make sense for us to show our grandkids that the way to celebrate Christmas is by being indulgent and expecting everything for ourselves? \u00a0I know, I know, it was sooo much fun when we were young \u2013 to have all the gifts under the tree (if you were blessed enough to have that experience), lots of toys, candy, excitement and food. \u00a0It was wonderful.<\/p>\n

So, I\u2019m not saying don\u2019t allow your grandkids to have this expericence. \u00a0What I am saying is to take it to a higher level. \u00a0Rather than you,Grandma, Granny, Nana, Giggy, Gama, buying more stuff for your grandkids, let the parents do that and you give them more. \u00a0Teach them how to give back, share with them how important it is to give than to receive (see how well that goes over) . \u00a0Talk to them about the homeless, the broken, the forgotten and ask them how they think they can help them during this holiday time. \u00a0Come up with some ways to bless others. \u00a0Our family used to make sandwiches and put them and bottled water in brown bags to give away to the homeless in downtown DC. \u00a0We took our girls with us so they could experience at a young age how special it is to give to those less fortunate, to smile at someone who is ignored all day, and to provide a meal (however small) to the hungry.<\/p>\n

The Lord said if we did this to the least of these, we were doing this to him. \u00a0What a warming thought! \u00a0Teach these values to your grandkids, rather than teaching them to grab at the next video game, the next phone or other gadget.<\/p>\n

We should also resist the temptation<\/em> to isolate ourselves. \u00a0Our grandchildren need to know the value of family. Not just their brothers and sisters, mom and dad and grandma, but cousins, aunties, uncles, distant relatives everywhere. \u00a0This is what I love about social media. \u00a0I get to stay in contact with family from around the country in ways that are so personal. \u00a0Even though I\u2019m not there, it\u2019s easy to shoot them a quick \u2018hello\u2019 or respond to their post with a smiley face or tell them how proud you are of them. \u00a0Our grandkids should be a part of this experience. \u00a0Let them know when you have connected with distant family members, show them their post and pics and engage them in keeping the extended family small. \u00a0In addition, show them the old pictures from the photo albums (those old antiques) and laugh with them as you share memories.<\/p>\n

Just as these grandparents made memories for their family, you can too. \u00a0Watch this and enjoy! \u00a0Be inspired to have this much fun no matter what your age.<\/p>\n