Monday, October 18, 2010

The Grandmother Principles



Being a Grandmother (Mémère) I so enjoy books written about or by grandmothers.  Recently I browsed through The Grandmother Principles by Suzette Haden Elgin and came upon this list at the beginning of chapter 1:

The Grandmother Principles

1. The grandmother way is the easy way.
2. Grandmothers already have tenure.
3. Everything comes to an end eventually.
4. A grandmother is a safe haven.
5. There's nothing so simple that you cannot make it complicated if you really try.
6. The most powerful way to teach is by example.
7. People with real clout don't have to throw their weight around.
8. Grandmothers don't have to be politically correct.
9. When getting somebody else to do a task is more work than just doing it yourself, do it yourself.
10. Most arguments are about who is in charge.
11. It's always safe to talk to a grandmother.
12. Grandmothers delegate.
13. A grandmother is not a quarterback.
14. Somebody has to be the grown-up.
15. No sickness or injury is so bad that panic can't make it a lot worse.
16. There are secret stories that only a grandmother should know.
17. It will be finished when it is finished.
18. Grandmothers plan for the long haul.
19. If it can't be done one way, it can be done another.
20. After you give people something, it belongs to them.
21. For grandmothers the light doesn't have to be perfect.

This Mémère truly smiled as she reflected a moment on each principle.  Mrs. Elgin has some very good points.


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