Becoming Grandparents & Moving
Have you ever moved house? Most of us have moved at least once in our lives. We either move out of our parent’s home as a result of marriage, or we just want our own place. There are as many reasons for moving as there are people who are moving.
I swear that between moving around as I was growing up and moving around since marriage I must have moved at least 20 times. Seriously… One good thing about moving so many times is that you learn to be ruthless about what it is that you actually move. I am referring to everything from furniture to clothing. In some respects I look at it as an opportunity to start fresh. Alright, I will admit that it is also a good excuse for a new wardrobe and upgrading furniture and / or appliances.
This current move that we are preparing for is entirely different than any previous move we have made. How? Yeah, I guess I already gave that away in the title of this blog. LOL We are going to be grandparents for the first time! We want to live closer to them so we can be more available. After all I do want to be considered as a potential babysitter.
The new arrival is expected May / June so we have plenty of time to prepare. We are looking at a February / March move. The house we are moving to we currently rent out. Once the lease expires and the renter moves out we can begin preparations for moving in. We will sell the house we live in now because it is located in a housing development in which the covenants do not allow for renting. That’s fine with us. One less thing to deal with.
So my questions for you are two-fold: How many times have you moved and for what reasons? Are you a grandparent yet? How many times, as in how many grandchildren?
Don’t forget to follow Geek Girl on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Geek Girl USA by Email
Filed in: Uncategorized
Wow, congrats on the upcoming "becoming grandparents"!! It's so great you'll be able to be close to them.
Moves can always be so bittersweet… it's tough to leave your "home", but the excitement of the new place (and people!) make it much easier.
You are so right on both counts. But we really are looking forward to this move. 🙂
Ok, I hate moving. Primarily because we did move a lot. Our moves were all revolved around our careers. We move long distances which made it that much more difficult. The last move WAS the last. As far as grand kids we have four. The live in different parts of the country and have moved a lot themselves. They are still working on there careers and that has required a few moves.
Good luck with your moving, selling and settling and congratulation on the new arrival.
Most of our moves have been career related as well. It's nice to have this unexpected reason to move. I actually don't mind this time and I am looking forward to it. 🙂
I've traveled a lot, but have not moved very many times at all. The transition to NC from ID was quite the ordeal since I guess I really do love my routines, but my husband got a job offer too good to pass up and it gave me the chance to break free from the classroom. It looks like we're readed back up north some time this spring. At least I now have one cross-country move under my belt and I'm sure I will weather this move better than the last. As for grandkids, I don't even have any kids to speak of… 😉
Sounds like the move to NC was an opportunity for you both. Moving back? Is the classroom in your future again? Somehow I think I knew you did not have children.
I'm seriously considering teaching college composition again when we move back to ID. As an adjunct professor, I would make even less than I did teaching secondary school. And yet, I will be able to still teach and get some writing done. Time will tell. Still not 100% sure on remaining childfree…
Having children is a lifetime commitment. Once your child, always your child no matter how old they get. 🙂
Cheryl, I thought you were much younger. Wow, you just added at least 25 years to what I figured…
Have moved so many times I stopped counting a long time ago. First with my parents when I grew up, then had 3 flats of my own before I left Sweden and then, heaven knows how many places all over the world. The difference is that when you move like that you don't bring your furniture and so forth. Believe it or not, still have most of my stuff in London and will get it once I know where I end up.
I have had many people tell me that they are surprised when they find out how old I really am. Yes. I am old enough to have grandchildren. In fact I have been waiting for a while now. My son is almost 33 and starting his family now. Smart boy to wait until he was ready.
Hi Cheryl,
Like Catarina, I was surprised to learn you're old enough to be a grandmother! You must be a very young grandmother. Congratulations! We became grandparents for the first time in July. It's as wonderful as I expected.
As for moving, I've only moved 5 times in my life and once was as a baby. Back in '78, we bought this "starter" home and never left. Our adult son lives about 15 minutes away with his wife and our granddaughter. (Our adult daughter moved back home almost 3 years ago. She has yet to find her soul mate but I'm still hoping. She's only 33, So, I haven't given up hope yet. I'd love to be a grandmother again!)
Yes, well I am not giving out my age. But nice try! Having your daughter back home can be a bit of a two-edged sword I would think. Nice to have her home, but also want her to progress her own life.
My family moved a lot when I was young and I kind of like discovering and exploring a new environment. It's also a chance to take stock of all my important things and a new perspective on life. Congratulations on become a grandparent.
Very good perspective! And Thank You! 🙂
First off–big congratulations!! You must be so excited to be a grandparent for the first time! So happy for you. 🙂
As for me–I have also moved a lot, though, not as much as you. When I was in the military, I HAD to move. No choice. But then when I got married the first time, I moved a few times. First because we were in a house in a town where I knew NOBODY. So, my then husband was kind enough to sell that house. Lo and behold, it sold in FOUR HOURS! So we moved into his mom's house for a few months. Then we moved to a condo. That was not a good situation so we moved into a house. That was much better. Then I moved to a new city three hours away to take the job where I currently am. That was an apartment, and I had a dog, so I soon bought the house I'm in now. So, various reasons caused moves. I don't see us moving anytime soon. THis is good. Its nice not to deal with al that for a while.
And no, I'm not a grandma. I'm not even a mom. Sadly. 🙁
But I will be motherly to the whole world if they would let me. 🙂 Some do. 🙂
Glad you are settled and do not have moving in your future. As for being a mom you have to really want to be a mom. It's a lifetime commitment. And you can be motherly to me… 🙂 You are the one who inspires me, after all.