There are times when I look at my mom’s way of doing things, and I can’t help but feel a little frustrated. My mom doesn’t do everything exactly the way I do. She feeds my daughter different foods, offers different drinks, and they spend time together doing things that we don’t typically do at home. While some of these differences are minor, there are moments when I wonder—does my 5-year-old really need McDonald’s, cookies, and marshmallows toasted over the backyard campfire—all within a 24-hour period?

It’s easy to roll my eyes or feel like it’s too much. I mean, who needs that much sugar in one day? But here’s the thing: it’s only for a few days. Or sometimes, just a few hours. And yes, maybe my daughter will come home a bit wired from all the excitement. It’s definitely a possibility that it will take a day or two to get her back into our usual routine. But here’s the other side: when she comes home, she will also be full of love, joy, and memories created with her grandparents—memories that will stay with her long after those little moments of indulgence are forgotten.

We all know the saying: “You can’t choose your family.” But sometimes, I think we forget that family is made up of different people with different values, ideas, and ways of showing love. My mom may not follow all the same rules or routines I do with my daughter, but her actions come from a place of deep love and wanting to create special memories. And I have to remind myself of that when I feel myself getting frustrated by the things that don’t line up with what I would normally choose.

The truth is, my mother won’t always be here. And one day, when she’s gone, the memories that my daughter has of her—these moments, these special days spent with her grandparents—will be all she has left. These memories will become treasures, stored in her heart long after the marshmallows have been eaten and the toys have been forgotten. They’ll be a part of her story, a story that one day she’ll tell her children, just as I tell mine.

I realize that sometimes we, as parents, need to show more grace to our parents. Sure, it may seem like my daughter is getting spoiled or thrown off her routine, but there’s a bigger picture. The love, joy, and the lessons she’s learning in those moments are priceless. My mother may not always do things the way I would, but she’s giving my daughter a gift—a gift of adaptability, of new experiences, and most importantly, a gift of love.

And as I think about this, I remember the moments in my own childhood that were full of fun, chaos, and a little bit of indulgence with my own grandparents. I remember the joy of spending time with them, even if it meant breaking the rules for a little while. And those moments shaped who I am today. They are part of the foundation of my memories.

So, I’ve decided to embrace these times with my mom and let go of the little frustrations. I’ll remind myself that it’s just a few days. A few hours. In the grand scheme of things, these are tiny moments that will pass quickly. The bigger picture is the bond my daughter is building with her grandparents, and the love they share. That’s what really matters.

In the end, it’s not about the food or the routines—it’s about the memories. And when my daughter grows up, I want her to look back and remember not just the times when everything went according to plan, but the times when she had fun, when she felt special, and when she was surrounded by love, even if it came in the form of an extra cookie or a trip to McDonald’s.

So please, show grandparents some grace. If not for their sake, then for your child’s. Your child might be thrown off their routine for a short time, but they’ll gain so much more than that. They’ll gain adaptability, cherished memories, and even more love than you alone can provide. And who doesn’t need that?