In my neighborhood, there lived a cheerful grandma with her three grandchildren. Her home wasn’t the kind that people think of when they think old age. There were toys, snacks, running feet, spilled colors, bedtime stories, questions, laughter and little adventures we had every day. So I went and spent a day with them watching what they did, observing the way they lived together. Not only family fun, but a beautiful bond between generations was witnessed. That day inspired me to make a whole series of comics about grandma and grandkids. Every comic was born from an observation I had, and each of these comics contained a positive message as far as patience, love, energy and the unique role that grandparents play in the child’s life.
#1. Grandma’s Couch-Hideout Tag Rules
The first comic was a result of observing grandma playing tag with the kids in the living room. Grandchildren were lots of fun and didn’t need to wait very long, but grandma did not seem to have as much energy as the grandchildren. She made an effort to keep up, laughed at herself and nimbly incorporated cookies into the game. I made the comic to illustrate that a person can be old, and still be a part of family fun. The positive message is that children do not need perfect energy from grandparents. They require presence, warmth, humor, and a person willing to play in their manner.
#2. Grandma’s Surprise Mud Facial in the Garden
The garden comic came about after waking up one morning in a peacefully quiet garden, which soon turned into a muddy and noisy morning. Grandma wanted to introduce the children to flowers, but the grandchildren wanted to get dirty, learn about soil and worms. I wanted to make this comic because things in the family don’t always go according to plan, particularly with small kids. The good news is that often memories are formed in messy moments. A garden is not only a place for plants to grow, but also a place where patience, curiosity, and laughter can grow between grandma and grandchildren.
#3. Grandma’s Pancake Lab Workout
The pancake comic was inspired from breakfast time when the kitchen resembled more of a scientific laboratory than a cooking environment. Grandma kept cool as the kids slopped syrup, tossed flour and made a feast of each pancake. This comic is developed to document the humorous part of cooking with kids. The positive message is that family meals are not only about perfect food. They are about working together, team work and having fun learning together. A dirty kitchen can be a happy reminder, even in the presence of love.
#4. Grandma vs. the Park Pigeons
The park pigeon comic began with a simple walk that was an unexpectedly dramatic episode. Grandma brought the kids outside for some fresh air, but snack crackers were an unexpected draw on the pigeons. The grandchildren laughed, grandma tried to save the food and preserve her dignity. With this comic I wanted to illustrate that a common outing can become an incredible family experience. The good news is that grandparents can make a little go a long way when it comes to happy memories for the grandkids. They don’t react in a dramatic way and this helps children to laugh rather than complain.
#5. Grandma Becomes the Arts-and-Crafts Easel
The arts and crafts comic was inspired by watching grandma who sits at this table with her paints, paper and two excited little artists. She started off as a helper but then became part of the artwork. She had paint on her cardigan, hands and cheek, but she was still smiling as if it was the best gift. I made this comic because with kids, it’s never a neat and tidy way to be creative, it’s just always a meaningful way to be creative. The good news is that grandmas and grandpas foster imagination by participating in the mess rather than putting a halt to it. When adults appreciate their child’s creativity, children feel loved.
#6. Royal Keeper of the Beach Bucket
Grandma went on a family vacation and came back with the idea for a beach comic, in which she was expecting a vacation, but got a royal task instead. The grandchildren made a sandcastle and their grandma was the King’s guard. She had towels, she had buckets to watch and she kept on protecting the castle, and she still managed to smile. I made this comic to illustrate that children are making magical places from simple places. The good news is that by taking play seriously, grandparents are able to be a part of a child’s imagination. A beach day is more than sunshine with grandma helping to protect the dream.
#7. Grandma’s Missing Chocolate Chip Mystery
The baking comic was a result of watching the grandchildren help bake cookies, and consuming many of the chocolate chips before the baking process even started. Grandma took careful measurements, but the children thought tasting was important too! I made this comic because even when the recipe fails, baking with grandchildren is one of the sweetest family traditions. The good news is that there is more to being together than having things be perfect. The laughs, teamwork, and sense of being loved last much longer than cookies ever do.
#8. Grandma’s Playground Nap Challenge
The playground comic was inspired by visiting grandma pushing swings, holding drinks and clapping for each slide, and keeping track of everyone, their shoes and snacks and excitement. The kids thought that she made everything fun and grandma was now the entire support team. I made this comic to celebrate the behind-the-scenes job grandmas and grandads do at play time. The good news is that love can manifest in little things. Each time the swing is pushed, each time they’re cheered, each time they are patiently smiled at, children are reminded that they are important. Grandparents instill confidence by their presence.
#9. Grandma’s Blanket Fort Story Summit
The evening inspired the bedtime story comic as story time became a family affair. Though it began with one book, the children brought voices, questions, blankets, flashlights and dramatic decisions. I made this comic because grandparents’ bedtime can be beautiful, yet exhausting. The good news is that stories decrease the distance between generations. When grandma reads, she’s not just sharing words from a book. She’s providing comfort, imagination and emotional security. The children learn the experience of being listened to and held.
#10. Chief of Snacks and Weather Complaints
The picnic comic was based on one of grandma’s sunny days when she was baking some snacks, cutting out napkins and arranging drinks to take to the picnic, only to find ants, the wind and a runaway kite had also decided to join in. Grandma worked on the little problems, the children laughed. This comic was made to illustrate that spending time outdoors with family isn’t always serene, but it’s always filled with memories. The good news is that grandparents impart flexibility to the kids. When things change, they teach how to be happy, to find a solution, and still have a great day.
#11. Video Game Panic Button Adventure
The origin of the video game comic was the sight of grandma sitting with a controller in her hand and the grandchildren giving her instructions in a most serious manner. Not all of the buttons she comprehended, but she comprehended the blithesome of joining their world. I made this comic because I feel like in today’s time, play can be used to bind generations if both parties are willing. The good news is that grandparents don’t have to be experts to relate to children. Grandma, when she does something different, she teaches courage, humility and openness. Children enjoy being taught by her, and they feel proud of her.
#12. Snack-Funded Grocery Negotiation
The grocery store comic was based on a shopping trip that ended up being a discussion of snacks, cereal, samples and dinosaurs shaped pasta. Grandma said that they would try to teach the grandkids how to shop smart, but the grandkids added excitement to every aisle. This comic was made because errands with kids can be adventures. The good news is that every day has opportunities to be bonding moments. Grandparents impart the lessons of patience, choice and balance in everyday settings. A grocery cart can carry more than food, it can carry conversation and shared laughter.
#13. Holiday Decorating Rescue Mission
The holiday decorating comic was inspired by the grandmother helping to decorate the house for the holidays with the children. Some of the lights entangled themselves, some of the ornaments ended up in surprising locations, the tree was a little crooked, but everyone was pleased. This comic was made due to the fact that many of the things people think of when they think of holidays are not as perfect as the pictures. The good news is the family traditions are more important than perfect decorating. Children come to understand that celebration is about togetherness and not control. With Grandma’s patience, chaos can turn to warmth and that is the true decoration of the home.
#14. Grandma Becomes Queen Sparkle at Tea Time
The idea for the tea party comic came to him from the playroom where grandma accepted a royal title, and came to sit at a table with a bunch of stuffed animals. They provided her with imaginary tea and non-existent cake and with rules they alone knew. I made this comic because pretend play demonstrates the children’s level of trust in loving adults. The good news is that grand parents can help children become more confident by respecting their imagination. When grandma becomes a part of their world, she lets them know that their ideas are important. It’s a valuable gift to give a child.
#15. Overloaded Zoo Gift Shop Lesson
The zoo comic was a result of grandma taking the family out to the zoo, carrying all the souvenirs and melting, sugary juice boxes and the kids pointing excitedly at the animals. It was a noisy, tiring and wonderful trip. I made this comic to illustrate the sacrificial love that is experienced in family adventures. The good news is that grandmothers may often be the one to do all the work so that children can savor the moment. Grandma’s touch of education is more powerful when she makes it enjoyable. She shares with kids the skills to observe, wonder and appreciate the world.
#16. School Pickup Pack Mule Moment
The school pickup comic was brought about by the hustle and bustle of picking up the kids outside the school gate in the afternoon. Grandma arrived on time, but it was only when the kids brought their stories home and their projects and backpack charms and non-stop excitement that the real work started. This comic was developed because I felt there was an opportunity for emotional connection on a daily basis at school pickup. The positive message is that children need someone who listens with patience. They feel valued when they have grandma’s attention. But no matter how heavy she can get them to be, she gives them something greater: the sense that their day matters.
#17. Movie Night Dragon Recovery Plan
The movie night comic was a pretty cozy evening with grandma, sitting in the middle of the kids, the movie that couldn’t last more than a few minutes before the questioning started, the popcorn, and the blankets. The kids needed to be reassured, snacks and explanations of every scene that was worrisome. I made this comic mainly because there is more to family movie night than just watching a movie. The good news is that grandma and grandpa provide emotional security. Being with someone they know and trust while hearing a story makes children enjoy the story more. Grandma’s presence dispels fear and creates fun.
#18. Grandma’s Not-So-Peaceful Fishing Trip
A soothing fishing trip to the pond turned into a swirl of lines, minnows, poking fingers, and enthusiastic cheering and that’s how the fishing comic came into being. It was quiet what Grandma expected, but the grandchildren came with adventure to the water. I made this comic as it is not about the fish; it’s about patience and fishing with kids. The takeaway is that grandparents help kids learn to appreciate small accomplishments. A little fish becomes a big accomplishment with loving support. The size or success is not important, what matters is encouragement.
#19. Neighborhood Bike Coach Workout
This bike riding comic was inspired by observing grandma jogging next to two kids on little bikes. She had to adjust helmets, to encourage, and ran more than she thought she could. I created this comic because learning to ride a bike is a strong picture of growing confidence. The good news is that grandparents are a positive force in helping children to be brave. They don’t ride the bike for them, they just stay close enough that they feel safe. One of the best lessons that family can provide is that balance of support and freedom.
#20. Grandma’s Dress-Up Day as Princess and Dragon
This dress-up comic was motivated by an afternoon when according to the children, grandma was part princess, part superhero, and part dragon. She carried the crown, cape and feather boa with a big smile on her face. I made this comic because kids’ imagination grows when adults are in and having fun. The positive message is that love sometimes means being silly. Grandma proved dignity doesn’t go out of the picture during play. Rather, it leads to a greater understanding, and children realize that age can be happy.
I spent one day with grandma and her three grandchildren and I now understand why these comics were important to create. They are funny, but they are also gentle reminders of family values. Grandparents may move a little slower and forget a few things and may need a little rest sooner, but they have patience, wisdom, humor and unconditional love. Grandma and grandkids comics that are a family affair and about the beauty of intergenerational bonding. They demonstrate that old age is not a time of restrictions. It’s also a story, it’s laughter, it’s support, and it’s priceless memories that children will keep in their hearts forever.
Share this content:
