"If I had known how fun grandchildren were, I would have had them first."

Michelle Fralich has three children: Matt, 29; Kim, 25 and Kelli, 23. She was a stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up. Though Fralich thoroughly enjoyed that time, it is now that is most heavenly to her: She is a grandmother to Jade, 6; Zach, 16 months, and Matt, 10 months. According to Fralich's husband, Jeff, the grandchildren are "the light of her life."

Fralich works as a housekeeper at the Lancaster Arts Hotel but when she is off work, "It's all about the grandchildren." She knows every mom needs a break from time to time and Fralich is more than happy to provide that time for her daughter, Kim and her husband, Jason King. Baby Matt's parents are Fralich's son, Matthew Hicks, and his wife, Heather.

Though Fralich's schedule changes from week to week, her children are flexible with arranging visits. Luckily, all the families live within minutes from each other so the scheduling is easy.

Fralich said one of the things she loves about being a grandmother is the extra special bond she shares with her oldest grandchild, Jade. Fralich said that Jade is "Grandma's girl. Even when she gets married, she will still be grandma's girl."

Fralich likes that Jade can confide in her and tell her secrets. Fralich says she tells Jade that when she gets a hug from her, she gets energized. "It's true!" Fralich also added that she likes being "that soft place" for all of her grandchildren.

Fralich says the difference with being a grandmother from being a mother is that your time with the children is all fun.

"When you are a parent you have to work to find time to play with your children."
Now, even after coming home from her job, Fralich is ready to play. "There is nothing like working a full day and then being able to look forward to your grandchildren coming over."

They enjoy going to the park together, doing chalk drawings on the sidewalk and doing other fun things.

Fralich says she loved every minute of being a stay-at-home mom and admits it was a "real luxury" for her. She said she doesn't know how moms who work outside the home today do it. So she is more than happy to help her own grown children. She explained that her help comes in the form of her time rather than from her money. "If their washer and dryer break down, I tell them to drop off their laundry and I can do it for them, rather than buying them a new one."

When she was raising her own family, Fralich used her experience from her own growing up years with her mother. Fralich said, "If you are going to ground them (your children) for three months, then ground them for the three months! My mother would let me off after two days!" She added, "If you want your children to succeed you have to be consistent."

Another important lesson she taught her children is to always think of others first, do what you can to help and be thoughtful. "It's important to be a team player. It's not what's in it for you," she said.

Fralich says that it is harder now to be a mom to her children with them being grown up. "It's too late," she explained. "You have to let them live their own life. You never want to over step your boundaries. So I keep it neutral."

Fralich's philosophy on child rearing seems to be paying off. She is reaping the benefits of a wonderful relationship with her grandchildren and is enjoying time with her own grown children.

"My kids will tell you ... we're the best of friends - we're all close."

Mom details

Fralich is originally from Florida. "I love it up here," she says. "I love the seasons. It's always so hot in Florida!" Her favorite season is autumn.

She loves crafts especially embroidery and scherenschnitte - paper cutting design artwork.

A reader, she is especially fond of murder mysteries. "A gift card from Barnes & Noble is like a million dollars to me!"

Fralich believes in ghosts. She believes those who have passed away never leave you.
She is the oldest of four girls.

Her favorite actors are Tom Hanks and Will Smith.

She has two cats: a Persian named Oliver and a "regular" cat named Ginger.

If Fralich watches TV it will be something on A&E, Discovery or the History Channel.

Fralich's favorite color is purple.

Her husband, Jeff, nominated her to be Mom of the Month.

By Maureen Leader, special features writer