A doting grandmother showed precisely why she's considered a soft touch around her granddaughter in a hilarious video posted to social media.
Deveney Senoo from Akron, Ohio, posted the clip to her TikTok, @lashawns2011, showing what happened when her mom, Ralette, tried to say goodbye to her granddaughter Elikem. Elikem had stayed at her grandma's the night before, with Ralette bringing her back home earlier that day.
"Typically, when she drops her off, she comes in and hangs out for like an hour, then leaves," Senoo told Newsweek. "We always walk her out, and Elikem is good at letting her leave. That time was different."
Research has highlighted many benefits to kids having a close relationship with their grandparents. A study of over 1,500 children conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford found that those with grandparents who were more closely involved experienced fewer emotional and behavioral problems.
Senoo says Elikem calls Ralette "her best friend" and asks to see her at least once a week. "They talk every day. They FaceTime every day," she said. "They like to go shopping and go out to eat together."
She said it is similar to the bond she enjoyed with her "grammy" growing up and a closeness that her family believes is extremely important.
Senoo recalls a conversation with her dad where she said she felt you couldn't love anyone as much as your kids. "You think that until your kids have kids," he replied. "It's a deeper love."
For Ralette, her "deeper love" for Elikem manifests itself in a way that is likely familiar to many grandparents: when it comes to Elikem, "she's a marshmallow," Senoo said.
"The child gets away with everything and gets everything she wants. That's what grandparents are for, right?"
On that particular day, as Ralette prepared to head home, Elikem decided she wanted something else.
"She still wanted her," Senoo said. In the video, Elikem cries and attempts to open the car door. It's a guilt trip of the highest order.
But it works. Raclette relents, opening the car door, ready for Elikem to climb inside and return home with her. Senoo was on hand to capture it all on video. The clip, posted alongside the caption "grandma caved in too quick," went viral, amassing over 11 million views.
"I do the same thing, can't stand to see them cry," one fellow grandma commented on the clip.
"Anyone else wish their kids had a grandma who did this????? Would love this help," a second said. "Love the grandparents this generation of babies are getting to experience," a third added.
Coming at a time when Senoo is out of work and pregnant, the response was greatly appreciated.
"I was so happy people got to see that precious moment and shared the same joy I have," she said.
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