Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/on-becoming-a-grandfather/5014954/
On July 22, at 7:00 a.m., we welcomed Lily Katherine Elkind into the world, and into our family. Two hours after she was born, I held her in my arms. It had been a long time since I had held a newborn. As I looked at this tiny being, my granddaughter, a great many things went through my mind. I thought of how different her birth environment was from that of her father, and in turn, how different his was from my own. I also wondered about her future, the world she would be growing up in, and the circumstances under which she might herself give birth. I also began to ponder my own double role as grandfather/child development professional. Lastly, I started to imagine, a bit selfishly I admit, all the fun my wife and I would have with her when she was left in our care for weekends and holidays.Now that Lily is 18 months old, I have had a chance to reflect more deeply on some of my initial thoughts. First, the generational comparisons. My son was present during Lily's birth, held his wife's hand, and even took pictures. I am sure this was a powerful experience for ...