Mariana Cotromanes

I’ve always admired my grandmother (or, Yiayia, as I call her-- it's Greek for grandmother).  She is beautiful, kind, and thoughtful.  And I think that if she were a mother from my generation, she’d be a little bit crunchy! Here are four fun reasons why my (maternal) grandmother is pretty darn amazing:

4. She can tap dance! Or, at least she used to.  As a child I was obsessed with dancing (especially ballet), and Yiayia happened to mention that she knew how to tap dance.  I recall requesting performances again and again.  I’ll never forget her tapping away in my uncle’s hallway as we sang “Tea for Two.”  It's a favorite childhood memory.

3. She's so thoughtful.  She and my grandfather are part of a Greek church organization (AHEPA) that builds affordable housing for seniors. Over the course of more than fifteen years (or maybe more), there are 250 residents among the five buildings… And Yiayia writes Christmas and birthday cards every year to each resident.  I believe she also gives them birthday gifts.

2. She’s practically psychic.  First, she and my grandfather declared that I was having a girl when I was expecting.  They were right.  Then when I told them my due date of August 20th, Yiayia would jokingly say, “I know the baby’s real due date… August 17th.” Which is her birthday… Elizabeth was born at 9:04 p.m. on August 17th.

1.  She has been my main cheerleader when it comes to being a crunchy mom! She is almost eighty-seven years-old and is a modern woman who knows about Skype and Lady Gaga-- and if she were a mom right now I think she’d be crunchy.  Why?...

(a) She encourages my breastfeeding.  Support is such an important factor (especially in the first few weeks).  I had expected Yiayia to mention using formula since it was commonly used when her generation was raising their children.  Instead, every time I see her she tells me how nursing is the best thing I can do for my daughter, and that it’s wonderful how committed I am. 

(b) She’s an advocate of baby-led schedules.  I got Elizabeth on a nap schedule when she was around 5 months-old, but it’s difficult to stick to when there’s occasional night-waking.  Yiayia always reminds me that it’s okay when Elizabeth is off schedule because, as she puts it, “she’s the boss.”  I couldn’t agree more.  And, “Babies go through so much growth and change, they create their own schedules.  They know what they need.”  So true. 

(c) Yiayia doesn’t believe in the cry-it-out method!  Around Christmastime when we were together I thought for sure something would be said about how I don't let Elizabeth cry for more than a minute or two.  Instead,Yiayia said something like, “oh honey, go to her.  Babies always need something when they cry.”  Amen.  

Is there a mom in your life who “rules?” Who in your life has been incredibly supportive of your parenting choices?