The Momma Clan

Yes at 74, I am blessed to have seen four generations of our family.

I was blessed to see my in-laws living with us for twenty- five years since our marriage. They were married at the young ages of 14 and 19 as that was the custom in their generation 100 years ago. Well, both had opposite personalities even though both were good to all. Papa was an angry man and Ma was a gentle soul, kind and affectionate. He was the boss. My husband’s elder brother and sister were not afraid of him but the other elder sister and elder brother were afraid of him and my husband also was afraid. They all got their work done through Ma. But all respected both of them. Papa was strict with them.

He worked with the Tatas in Jamshedpur in the Furnace Department. His grandkids had a great time with him. They got all the work easily from him. Till now they talk about their grandparents.
They used  to come to Patna after we were married during the summer Holidays. Mama Mami ke ghar pe. Grandparents were with us. They all used to play cards, and the Donkey game and tried to trick their grandpa and had good fun.

Our son and daughter had bonded well with their cousins. We were the second generation.

Our children and their cousins were the third generation. All the cousins are connected well and have been in touch till today. 

Our children are married now. The daughter has completed twenty years of marriage and the son has completed 18 years of marriage. They are in Mumbai and Delhi. Son is blessed with a son who is 15 years old now and our daughter is blessed with two girls 15 and 6 years old.

Our three grandkids are the fourth generation, we are seeing them growing up well.

I have seen my in-laws and their extended family, uncles and aunts from both my husband’s side welcoming me with love and I too have taken care of my in-law very well for twenty- five years till their last leave from us.  

They were very supportive when I did my BEd and while I was a teacher. They were there to help me take care of our children. A great moral boost to me as my husband had to go on tours. I am thankful to them. Our son and daughter have great respect for their grandparents.

We too did our part as grandparents in taking care of our grandchildren when they were young and now as grandson and granddaughter are in their teens, they do respect us and are lovable, but they have their friend groups and studies as both will take the 10th Board Exam next year.
The younger one still plays with us and looks for us. They are the fourth generation.

Now we sit and watch and enjoy their activities and get elated when they get medals and Awards in Sports and Academy.

Our in-laws used to enjoy their grandchildren’s achievements now it is our chance to sit back and enjoy.

There are a lot of advantages to children growing up with their grandparents. They watch their parents and how they take care of their elders if at all they do which most couples do with heart.

Some may be doing due for many reasons.
They learn the basic values of life like,
Respecting, 
Sharing,
Adjusting,
Loving and affectionate. 

 In each generation, the parents try their best to look after their children according to their means and needs.

In our in-law’s time, their children were given a good education and they got married. At that time no longer tour in schools. But all their children are happy.

In our time, we too did how much we could for the best of our children. They did have school excursions, we did send them but never took them to many places. Yes, we did visit Nepal, and Mahabalipuram together. They have no complaints. We had to send both outside Patna to complete their studies. They are doing good with their families.

Now as parents, we see our son and daughter bringing up their children well according to Today’s competitive world. At times, they have to go out of their way to fulfil their children’s wishes to send them on a trip from school or help them achieve their goals in sports or academics.

We as grandparents are elated and happy to see our grandkids growing up to be independent smart lovable children. We are always there for them if they need our time as elders. All love and respect us. We are proud of them.
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We wish them good luck.

Each generation grows up according to that time’s needs.
Things may be different for the fifth generation, which we may not see.

-Poornima Sivaraman