How I Became Nana
Nanas run in my family. My maternal grandmother was Nana to me, my two siblings, and my seven cousins. My mom was Nana to her only grandchild, my daughter. I have always known that I would be called “Nana” if I ever became a grandparent.
When my daughter and son-in-law announced that they were expecting–at a family gathering where we were going to scatter the ashes of my mom, who had passed a few weeks before–I was overjoyed. I was also sad that my mom wasn’t around for this milestone. And more than a bit nervous.
You see, I had a lot to live up to in the Nana department.
My mom, who we all called Nana once she became one, was the ideal grandparent. She loved my daughter unconditionally and was always there for her. She flew to California to stay with my daughter when both my husband and I had to travel on business. She had a gift for buying the perfect presents–whether they were toys, or clothes (that were always the right style and the right size. She was always down for silliness–whether that was allowing a ten-year-old to do her hair or doing water ballet in the ocean. She hosted many much-needed Nana-granddaughter weekends when my daughter was in college and needed to get away. She became my daughter’s spirit animal.
How was I ever going to be as great a Nana as my own mom? I had no clue where to begin.
I searched online for resources and found only information about the actual birth: What To Do In The Delivery Room, What To Bring To The Hospital, etc. I realized that my daughter and I were going to have to figure this out as her pregnancy progressed, and deal with these (and other) questions:
How much advice is too much?
What the heck is all this technology related to pregnancy and new motherhood?
Do you want me to come for the birth? When?
Do you want me to stay after the birth? How long?
Diapers, sleep advice, feedings, pumping–my knowledge was obsolete, so how could I be helpful?
There was a lot of back and forth, some of it unpleasant. We ultimately figured it out, but it would have been nice to have some support/preparation before we were in the thick of it.
And the idea for Becoming Nana was born.
My goal is to create a supportive space to ask all those questions you want to ask, a space where you can find the resources you need, a space where you can practice conversations, a community that can help you become the Nana (or Grammy or Nonna or Gigi or whoever) you want to be.
I’m looking forward to hearing your own stories, and walking with you on your journey.
