Granding: Meet Jill

Jill and I have been friends since we met in high school and we've shared some crazy adventures together. through the years! Jill is the mom of 3 grown sons, and is entering an exciting new role-being grandma to 3 adorable little girls. I can't think of anyone better suited to be a girl granny than Jill. Let's get her take on her life right now...

Let's start off with a some general information, How many grandchildren do you have and what are their ages? What do they call you?

It's pretty awesome because I had 3 boys and now I have 3 granddaughters! They call me GiGi...seems to be a pretty common grandma name, but there's a reason and a rationale for it. It's GG for Grandma Gainer.

What are your favorite activities to do when you're together? Any favorite spots in the city you like to go to with the kids or can recommend?

Right now we still play a lot at home and that's my favorite thing to do. It's just great to be a kid again and play down on the floor with them (while I still can!) I can't wait to take my youngest granddaughter to Grant's Farm!

Do you have any family traditions from when your kids were younger that you plan to continue with the next generation?

My parents took our boys on special trips, just one on one. I hope I can continue that tradition.

What do you do when you're not "Granding?" Job, hobbies, interests?

I am a full time worker for now! I'm in marketing and it's hard to think about retiring. But I absolutley love to travel, that's my hobby and interest, and I have to work in order to fund that! I love to create, I love to read a lot, and I've just got a sewing machine for my last birthday, so I'm going to "re-learn" what my own grandma taught me on the sewing machine!

What does being a Grandparent mean to you?

Being a grandparent is an awesome resposibility and the most beautiful and wonderful and rewarding thing that's ever happened to me. Being a grandma gives me the opportunity to indulge my grandkids because we are just in a different financial place than when we were raising our kids. I don't have to worry about them getting their homework done or having to do hard discipline with them. It's just pure perfect love. But the best part is seeing my sons being such good dads-playful, affectionate, funny, protective-all of it.

Best advice or tip you'd like to share?

Let your kids be the parents they were meant to be. It is your responsibility to raise your own kids, and grandchildren are the rewards!