They Say Grandparents Spoil Kids — But What If You Parent Your Own Child Like a Grandparent Would?

What if I treated my son the way my mom treats him? Her patience is unbelievable — soothing him for ages when he won't sleep, cleaning up his messes with a smile, patiently picking up toys he's dumped everywhere. She was NOT this patient with me.

I used to think it was just grandparent indulgence. But it's more than that. Older people feel their own vitality slipping away. New life — hopeful, bursting, changing every day — is intoxicating.

When you're a parent in your prime, you're drained dry by work, KPIs, bills, and a thousand trivial things. You think you're spending time with your child, but you're really just processing them — their meals, their meltdowns, their tuition.

Then someday, when I'm old too, growing roses on the balcony — I'll look back at him at three. Every cry, every laugh, every grain of rice on his face. If I could put down the anxiety and just see him — I wouldn't miss him. But by the time I can truly see him, he won't need me anymore.