The Art of the Worry

I remember a fellow teacher asking about my college age children. You are so lucky, they are not home, you don't have to worry about them...There is general worrying and specific worrying. Grandma's worries are like that.  If you live with children or are the primary care takers you get specific worries. Did they eat today, are they dressed warm enough? Can I manage my errands around their naps? If you are a visiting grandparent you can only worry about what you see, or what you are told. I think of these as worldly worries.

What are worldly worries? Well I could worry about what college my darling P will attend, or how the bill of a million dollars a semester,  will be paid for. Since this worry is almost two decades away, it is not that productive a topic. What do other grandparents worry about? It seems my friends have a constant source of topics. Grandparents are concerned with discipline in the home, too much, too little, too new wave. Are the grandchildren toilet trained? too may presents, not the right presents, spoiled children, deprived children, biting???

Why so much worry? I think these thoughts form a mental and emotional connection to the generations. It makes us feel closer to loving and caring for/ a connection...Is any of this productive? Yes if you, like me, are trying out for a spot on the next Olympic worry team. I think I will have a lot of competition.