New Zealand Trip No.17 (Day 4 of Stay −2) The Day I Was Called “Grandma” for the First Time — Witnessing the Moment When Words Begin to Grow

My son and his New Zealand wife have taught their children to call us “Jiiji” and “Baaba” since they were very young.
Because the children have always used these names, I assumed this way of calling us would naturally continue.

In fact, that has not changed.
However, I realized that inside my granddaughter, who will soon turn five, the word “Grandma” had quietly taken root as well.

Today, I spent quite a long time with my husband and our eight-month-old grandson.
When the baby began to fuss a little, I tried to distract him by gently talking to him.

“Jiiji,” “(his name),” “Baaba.”
I called each name in turn and turned my body toward the person I was naming, so that the baby’s gaze would move back and forth between us.
When I spoke directly to him, I looked steadily into his eyes and softly stroked his head.
I suppose I can be rather persistent.
Perhaps it is because I believe that language grows through repetition.

Just then, my granddaughter returned home from preschool and came over to us.
On impulse, I said to the baby, “This is your big sister,” and showed him her face.

At that moment, my granddaughter looked at me and said to the baby,
“Obaachann.”     (“Grandma.”)

It was the first time I had ever been called that since coming to New Zealand.
When had she learned this word?
When had she become able to choose it so naturally according to the situation?

Once again, I was deeply moved by the power of language and the richness of a child’s awareness.
Five years old is certainly not an age to be underestimated.

To speak to a child again and again, connecting words with real situations, requires patience.
Yet at the same time, it brings a quiet sense that a child’s world is gradually expanding.

On that day, I felt as though I had witnessed the very moment when language begins to grow.

#TimeWithGrandchildren
#PowerOfLanguage
#TalkingToBabies
#FamilyMemories
#MomentsOfGrowth
#LifeInNewZealand
#GrandmotherReflections
#ChildrensWorld