Every friend group has plenty of different characteristics, but there always seems to be that one friend that fits a stereotype so perfectly that it seems like they were born to fill that role. The mom of the group will always be there for you when you're sick and need soup. The dad of the group will crack corny jokes while wearing jorts and dad sandals (Lucy, I'm looking at you). Not every group has a grandma, but my friend group certainly does. Plot twist: I'm the grandma.
I have no shame admitting that I'm the grandma friend. I have an incredible grandma that taught me all of my grandmotherly skills and I'm insanely proud to be compared to her. I may only be nineteen, but I am already enjoying all of the perks of being the grandma of the group. So. why is it so great?
1. My friends know they can come to me for advice
It is such an incredible compliment having friends that are willing to talk to me and value my opinion enough to ask for it. I try to be the person that people can come talk to without feeling judged and my grandma status has catapulted me to the top of the chain of advice. I haven't ruined any lives yet, so I'm assuming that I give people solid advice.
2. Authority figures love me
I'm always the one at the party hanging out with a person's parents instead of my peers. Some people may think I'm boring, but it really comes in handy when we need to ask permission to go do something. They know that I am responsible and they trust their children with me because they know I won't do anything dangerous or illegal.
3. People know not to invite me to parties or concerts
I'm an introvert and large social gatherings and loud music are my worst nightmare. By cementing my status as a grandma I have successfully avoided having to make up excuses to avoid socializing. My friends already know that I would rather be with a small group than in a large crowd.
4. I can go to bed at 8:30 with minimal judgement
All of my friends know that I would rather be asleep than doing anything else. They are never surprised to know that I slept twelve hours last night and am already looking forward to my next nap.
5. I'm ready for any situation
Being the grandma of the group has taught me to be prepared for anything that could go wrong. I keep every medication you could need in my purse, I always have bandaids and I can locate a sweater for you in under 40 seconds when you're cold. My friends know I'll bring three extra blankets and two pairs of mittens to every football game just in case the weather turns sour. I'm the friend with the sunscreen and bug spray at every picnic and I always have an umbrella just in case. The downside of this is that I am not afraid to force a cardigan on you if you seem chilly and I will remind you to re-apply your sunscreen every forty minutes.
