If you are experiencing one
or more of the following you may be at risk for Grandma Burnout.
1. You buy packages of
chocolate chip cookie dough and eat them raw instead of baking cookies for your
grandkids.
2. You have strong, negative,
physical reactions to songs from any of the 'Shrek' movies.
3. Sponge Bob makes you cry.
4. All the stories you read
to your grandchildren now end with your comment of "What a load of
crap!"
5. You let all calls from
your grandkids' parents go to voicemail.
6. Combining all holiday
celebrations into one 'Merry-Thanks-Easter-Birthday' gathering at McDonald's
sounds like a good idea.
7. You would rather clean out
your closet than attend another youth sporting event.
Grandma burnout, while it can
be quite uncomfortable for you and unpleasant for those around you, is never
fatal. There is hope for you! You can recover fully and return to the vigor and
‘Grandmotherly enthusiasm’ you once had.
Burnout in any area occurs
when things are not in balance, priorities are mixed up and your focus is in the
wrong direction. Too much time spent struggling, frustrated, overwhelmed or
under appreciated can contribute to burnout.
The following are suggestions
to overcoming Grandma Burnout.
1.
Balance is key.
One definition of balance is a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal
distribution of weight, amount, etc. To help overcome burnout you need balance;
you need an equal distribution of work/rest, responsibilities/fun, physical and
spiritual. You have heard the saying ‘all work and no play’? There is some
truth to this. God wants us to be balanced in our lives. If we work only and
never play, we are out of balance. Ecclesiastes says there is a time for
everything. There is a time to work and a time to rest, a time to pray and a
time to step out on your faith; there is also a time to be Grandma and (there
should be, in a balanced life) a time to be YOU. You are a grandmother and that
is awesome and important, but you are more than that too. You are wife, mother,
friend, co-worker, teacher, writer…you are YOU.
2.
Sometimes when we
get discouraged, when we experience burnout in any area, it is because our
focus is in the wrong direction and we are trying to do everything ourselves in
our own strength. I don’t know about you, but I am not Wonder Woman! There is
only so much I can accomplish on my own and in my own strength. If I am looking
to myself to get things done, my focus is in the wrong direction. We need to
look to Jesus. Focus on Him and draw our strength from Him. While I cannot do
everything on my own, I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me!
The world will wear you down and take you out if you let it. Draw your strength
and stamina from the Lord. Focus on the word of God.
3.
Being overworked
and under appreciated is not an unfamiliar place for a woman to be. We have all
been there, or are there currently! Our families, children and grandchildren
may not always express their appreciation to us for all that we are and do. It
helps if we know and understand that regardless of what any person says or does
not say, God appreciates the job we do. God gave women a special place and
special instructions. Read Proverbs chapter 31 and see what God says about a
Godly woman.
Now,
bake some cookies, grab your sunglasses and lawn chair, and get to that
softball/baseball/soccer/football game and be the Grandma you were intended by God to
be!
God Bless!
Cyndy
