Raising grandchildren a blessing says Mayfield grandmother
she enjoys looking after her grandchildren, creating happy memories with them, because she can't live without them
Many households are held together by grandparents. As we celebrate Women’s Month, Mayfield grandmother Duduzile Sithole is raising her four grandchildren and she said raising them is a blessing as most women long to be grandparents.
The 58-year-old woman has been taking care of her grandchildren from when they were born. Her oldest grandchild is 17 and the youngest is two months old.
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Sithole said she enjoys looking after her grandchildren, creating happy memories with them because she can’t live without them.
“I love my grandchildren so much, but it can be stressful sometimes when they start arguing and making noise in the house, especially when I want some peace and quiet,” she said.
“However, when they do that I sit them down and I tell them stories or we play together as a way for me to teach them that even though we may have different opinions we are still one family at the end of day and it doesn’t help to argue with each other. “It is a mother’s duty to love and protect her children even when they have flaws.”
Sithole said her house might be small, but she is thankful that her grandchildren don’t go to bed hungry and she is grateful that their parents are trying, by all means, to provide for them.
“It is important that families hold on to each other, especially during these trying times because we will never know what might happen tomorrow,” she said. “I sometimes worry about what will happen to my children when I’m gone, but I believe that my teachings will give them courage to go on.”
Her grandson, Sibonelo Mashilo (11), said he loves receiving warm hugs and a listening ear from his grandmother.
This Women’s Month, Sithole is grateful to be a woman and she remains positive that the government will open more opportunities for women.
She urges other women to bring their grandchildren closer and not be disappointed to have them as they are gifts from God.
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