Grandmother's Day in Emigration

Celebrating Grandparents' Day in England and abroad
To celebrate Grandparents' Day, we asked parents of bilingual children to write about their grandmothers. Our readers' responses were so beautiful and touching that we decided to publish them in this special blog episode, in tribute to all the grandmothers who help us raise our children abroad in various ways: remotely or in person, via Skype or through touch, with socks, words, or apple pie, in every language imaginable, in a minority language, in a foreign language, and in the five languages ​​of love.

We extend warm greetings to all the wonderful grandmothers we had the honor of reading about in our Facebook contest:

Laura K: My grandmother, Halina, is far away. She's in a warm home where a delicious dinner was always waiting for me. She sits on the couch where we could talk for hours. My grandmother is far away. She has warm hands, with which she used to hug me and take me for walks to feed swans. My grandmother is far away. Her smile is like a halo. Sparkling eyes and a loving heart. My Grandma is far away. And she's my guardian angel. I love you, Grandma.

Magdalena R-Ł. (about Grandma Wiesia): It's sweet at Grandma's... The world smells of apple pie. Or maybe you'd like to try some... And chin up, I'll blow away those clouds and dust the sky with a broom... There's nothing like Grandma, I love Grandma, without Grandma, life would be miserable... If you have Grandmas, don't worry, because you won't harm a hair on your head.

Magdalena F: Grandma Daniela is Grandma Helenka. Grandma doesn't have Facebook, but she always has time for her grandson. Even though Grandma is far away, we often talk to her and watch each other on the webcam. And when we do visit Grandma's house, we never shy away from Grandma's treats. Grandma knows what we like. Grandma reads books with us, tucks us in with bedtime stories... it's so nice to hear how Mom used to get up to mischief. And now, in winter, Grandma's grandson visited, and Grandma says... put on your fur coat... we're going to throw snowballs for Grandma, that's also fun. So our Grandma Helenka is the best at making treats, telling fairy tales, Grandma will read, Grandma will play Lego, play board games and win—that's the kind of Grandma she is.

Ela H: Grandma Zosia, she makes the best pierogi, balls, and kopytka, and she's not ugly, either.

She can sew, darn, bake cakes, and cook well.
She tells great fairy tales and gives hugs, not only when it rains.

Aleksandra O: Grandma is the best institution in the world. Irreplaceable at cooking, the best at cuddling, petting, and telling stories. Grandma, like a guardian, watches over her grandchildren and often takes them in her arms. Even though our Grandma is far away, her home is in our hearts.

Dorota K: Grandma Wiesia is a dream grandma! She dances, sings, makes pierogi, studies at university, travels, talks to parrots, works with her granddaughters in the garden, or lies with them in a hammock and eats fresh raspberries. She's smart, elegant, and sweet. Simply unique!

Aleksandra Sz: Grandma Jolanta – with a grandma like that, you could only steal horses. She climbs trees, climbs walls, and would love to go down the slide herself at the playground! She laughs often and loudly, enjoys reading fairy tales (Locomotive – Master level), and can even knit. Her daughter is still waiting for a scarf; maybe she'll have a grandson.

Kasia H: God couldn't be everywhere, that's why he created grandma.

Iwona E: Grandma Zosia makes the best yeast pancakes in the morning, and her birthday cakes are unique – she bakes them during the summer holidays, even though her birthday is after the holidays.

Marzena J: My 92-year-old grandmother has always been a role model and authority figure for me. She never seemed to have a hopeless situation; she even repaired small household appliances herself and baked delicious croissants with homemade apple jam, which I've never been able to replicate. I spent every summer at my grandmother's, where she showed me the most magical corners of Krakow. She often surprised me with all sorts of logic problems that I had to work really hard to solve, and it was she I called when I encountered a particularly difficult math problem. She loves reading, and her favorite author is Agatha Christie and her complex investigations led by Hercule Poiriot. Thanks to this, my grandmother is now computer literate, enjoys listening to interesting music she finds on YouTube, chats with her loved ones on Skype while gazing into the windows of their homes or hotels, which she finds using Google Maps, and spies on what her granddaughter (me) is up to on Facebook. Aneta W-G: Grandma Marysia and Grandma Zofia, both full of love for their grandchildren, do everything they can to please and meet their expectations, depending on their age. They have adult grandchildren who sometimes need a little guidance to help them navigate their independent lives. They also dedicate time to their young grandchildren, playing, reading, telling stories, making modeling clay or painting with them, and, if necessary, crawling on all fours to teach their youngest grandchild to crawl. Always ready to help,

They hug, cuddle, comfort... they're simply there, even when they live far away.

Kasia N: Grandma and great-grandmother Hala (Halinka), 95 years old, the warmest, most beloved grandmother under the sun. She's the quintessence of grandmotherly qualities: wise, sweet, loving, telling 1,000 stories in the evening, understanding, and progressive.

Magda T: Marylka, our grandmother, even though far away, is always close. She always remembers her grandchildren. She even sends them butter to keep their little bugs healthy.

Natalia B: My children's grandmother is crazy and unique. She doesn't like baking cakes or wearing an apron, but she's excellent with a tacker and a jigsaw. Grandma Alicja – you're the best!

Monika W: Grandma Basia, the one who made delicious pancakes, cuddled, and encouraged Grandpa Janusz to go sledding again. Always on Skype first thing in the morning, in a pink bathrobe with a cup of hot tea in hand. Over 10,000 km away, but always close in the hearts of her grandchildren.

Daria G: Halina, our new grandmother, who inherited eight more grandchildren.

Iwona L: Grandma Marianna – an inexhaustible source of love. She knitted socks. I deeply regret not being able to appreciate that back then.

Monika R: My grandma Jasia, I always went to her for a warm-up (I was constantly sick as a child) and a meal. Only she knew how to charm food so I would eat anything. She taught me old songs, told me fairy tales, and hugged me. My beloved took me to the spa and on vacation. And she loved me deeply, and when I was older, she listened. She always waited for me at the window with a pillow on the windowsill. Thanks to my grandparents, I had a wonderful childhood, and now I have so many memories. I loved them dearly, and the feeling was immense.

Anna M: Grandma Urszula always remembers her multilingual granddaughter at the end of the world. She cares about her Polish language, traditions, and culture, giving her every moment of love in words, deeds, and treats, always something amazing with a smile on her face. For us, Facebook is one of many ways to communicate and exchange information regardless of distance.

Sincerely, the world would be gray and boring without them.

How do we celebrate Grandmother's Day in exile? Why is it worth teaching children Polish?
Grandmother's Day is a celebration of those who, with their love and wisdom, create beautiful childhood memories. ❤️ It's also a great opportunity to remind them why learning Polish in exile is so important for your children.

?? Deeper bonds with grandparents – The ability to talk to your grandmother in Polish allows you to build a unique relationship based on shared language and understanding. It's a bridge between generations!

? Access to Polish culture and traditions – Language opens the door to beautiful Polish fairy tales, stories, and memories, which Grandma eagerly shares.

? Bilingualism is a superpower – Learning Polish develops children's language skills, memory, and creativity. It's an investment in their future!

? Maintaining identity – The Polish language helps children understand their roots and be proud of the Polish heritage that Grandma so lovingly cultivates.

? For Grandma, with love!

On this special day, encourage children to write or say a few words in Polish especially for their Grandma. Even the simplest: "I love you, Grandma!" will bring a smile that will warm their hearts.

?‍?‍? Thank you to all Grandmas for passing on Polish values, love, and traditions that help bilingual children flourish!