Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6

Being the mother of young children is a wonderful privilege and an awesome responsibility. And sometimes it’s the most stressful job in the world! Nothing as encouraged me more in this all-important task than the loving support of my children’s grandmothers. They provided dinners and round-th-clock care when we brought our newborn babies home. They regularly host sleepovers for the kids so that I can have much-needed breaks.

While I certainly enjoy time alone while th children are at Mom-Mom’s or “Situ’s” (Lebanese for Grandmother), I especially treasure the priceless relationships and memories they are building with our children. When they visit Situ, they look forward to trips to the dollar store, lunch at McDonald’s sleeping in Daddy’s old bed, and generally having her undivided attention for their entire stay!

My mom has given me the invaluable gift of her time. For the last six years, she has devoted two days a week to her grandchildren, watching my brother’s children one day and my children another. I enjoy my days off, but I sometimes opt to spend them with my mother, who is also my very special friend.

Visits at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop’s are special for the kids too. While my husband and I enjoyed a four-day vacation in Florida, the kids stayed with my parents. Mom-Mom made their visit an event, pretending they were checking into a hotel. When they arrived, Pop-Pop, the “doorman,” carried their luggage upstairs to their rooms. The next morning, each child had “room service” for breakfast. Their mutual love and spiritual concern for my children has made these grandmother my partners in raising these precious little ones. I pray that God will use the love and influence of these women to produce children who truly are a crown of blessing.

If you have grandchildren, prayerfully consider how you can be an encouragement to them and to their mother(s). And if you don’t, or if they live far away, you can make a difference in a young woman’s life by coming alongside her in some way. It will surely be a blessing to you both!

Reprinted from Treasures of Encouragement, A Monthly Planner, by Sharon W. Betters, page 44