Romney's granddaughter, 8, stands by his side

Mitt Romney stands with his granddaughter, Mia Romney and grandson, Parker Romney during a campaign event at a pancake breakfast at Mapleside Farms on June 17, 2012 in Brunswick, Ohio.

/ Joe Raedle/Getty Images

(CBS News) Mitt Romney's granddaughter, Mia, has her own special way of showing she cares about the GOP nominee, Ann Romney says.

In an interview with CBS Greensboro affiliate WFMY, Mrs. Romney grinned while telling a story about 8-year-old Mia, one of her 18 grandchildren, who seems to sense the stress her grandfather is under.

"Last time she was with Mitt, I saw her putting her arm around him and then stroking his arm, and I thought, 'I've never seen her do that before!'" Mrs. Romney said. "And I asked her about it, and she just said, 'Oh I just wanted to let Papa know that I love him.'"

Mrs. Romney explained that Mia is "aware that her grandfather is going through some hard times and being attacked at times, and this little 8 year old wanted to protect him."

Mia is one of the four children of Matt Romney, the second eldest Romney son. Many of the Romney grandchildren have appeared on the trail at varying points, and call Ann "Mamie" and Mitt "Papa."

Ann Romney, who grew up with two brothers and raised five boys, has a unique relationship with her granddaughters. "There's a little bit more of a calmness when they're around," said her press secretary, Sarah Haley. "She loves being able to take them shopping or taking them to get their nails done."

"They just light up when their Papa comes in the room," added Haley.

[mookwysp]

Shocking an impressionable 8 year old who just happens to be his granddaughter supports him. This is my surprised face. :O

[andie52]

Romney's family and their offspring are the size of a small village. President Obama could exploit his grandchild the same way but then again he didn't marry Michele when she was in her late teens and use her as a brood mare

[Kestrel88]

Wow, Romney's a total wussy. Even a little girl can sense his weakness and fear. And this guy claims he's gonna stand up to Putin and Ahmadinejad?

Don't think so...

[AOCGUY]

Other breaking news reveals that Mitt and Ann Romney sleep in the same bedroom.

[AttyFAM]

Hey, what's he going to do? Ann struck out a few days ago and probably never wants to go public again.

But where are the grown children?

[WeHappyFew]

Oh 'Papa', those dreadful unwashed proles. They look so wild and uncouth, Have a care they don't infect you with their poverty. I hear some of them do not even have one vacation home. 'Papa', you're so brave. Do not let them near, they will surely kill and eat our dressage Oldenburg.

May your magic underwear protect and keep you always.

[Bianca_Gem]

Beautiful little girl, but I hope he didn't bring her along so that people wouldn't heckle him in front of her.

[nancy_naive]

Romney's granddaughter, 8, stands by his side... as do the rest of roughly equal intelligence. By 10, they're smart enough to vote for Obama.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

It's a cute story. Some of you should stop making cruel comments. I am for Obama but this viciousness from both sides needs to stop. It makes Americans look sad.

[esq777]

Nice to see Willard exploiting an 8 year old for political gain.