Grandparenting Pecking Order

     When former United States President, Bill Clinton, began a discussion with former United States President George Bush, pertaining to Bush’s role as a grandparent, George Bush defined a grandparent as the lowest person in the pecking order of the family.

     A witty, Senior blogger's perspective: "Amazing, two men who didn’t fall off a turnip truck in their former lives, but who held the position which belongs to the most powerful person in this country, and they have been, or will consider themselves, relegated to the bottom of the family pecking order."

     As a grandparent, I ponder this topic. If opposing political parties bond on any idea, it is something to note. During my formative years, all of my grandparents were absent due to either choice, distance, premature death, or parental pecking boundaries. In other words, key potential champions were lacking. "Grandpa Walton" was not cheering in my corner of the ring. 

     Ever the daughter of an analytical lawyer, granddaughter of an inventive entrepreneur, and amateur historian banished to the intuitive catacombs, I decided to create a flow chart that explores the question: Are the former Presidents' comments regarding grandparenting pecking order balanced?

Peckers, start your pecking. 

Parents are at the top, beginning their pecking at the bold red arrows

Balance begins when grandparents discern they possess quiet influence

The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old (Proverbs 20:29).

Flow Chart Legend:  Top pecker(s) = parents young strength;  Bottom Smiler(s) = grandparents gray splendor
(Ear-&-nose hairs, arthritis, weak eyes, and graying or balding only enhance the splendor)

     It takes a bit of patience to follow the pecks. In an ideal world, with two parents and two sets of mutual-drive grandparents, the flow chart above illustrates overwhelmed pickled peckers situated at the top (the parents)... raising their chickadees with the added bonus of emotionally supportive (yet not bossy) grandparents... with all members balancing quite aptly on a balance board.

     Grandparents have a humble, yet splendor-laden position. Those with natural gray hair are positioned to indirectly enhance the world; to add volumes of love, support, quiet influence, as well as key discerning prayer into the lives of our adult children and our grandchildren. Two former U.S. Presidents seem to already know that.