to hope I don't have to post here again for at least 20 years?

Best thing ever. All the fun and none of the stress! Lots of excuses for outings to zoos, parks, the seaside, museums and at a time in our lives when we can afford it. Also seeing the pleasure that the great grandparents get from our gs x2

Being a gran is the best thing ever-today my 2 yr old said to me,'I'm happy happy happy cos you got off the aeroplane grandma'.I just came home from a holiday in Italy.

In the long run, it doesn't matter one jot whether you want to be a granny or not – that's down to the next generation. What matters is the kind of granny you choose to be – if the time comes.

Of course you are not being unreasonable - all of us want the best for our children and we are kind of conditioned to believe that that includes them doing loads of interesting and adventurous stuff in their teens and 20's.

Having said that I am a Mum to a Teen Mum ... my younger daughter was only 18 when she had my grandson and is expecting her 2nd this October - shortly after her 20th birthday.

Her sister is completely different - she has a good career, is saving to travel and parties hard ... neither is jealous of the other as they have very different personalities and ideas about what they want from life

Am I disappointed at being a Nonna so young (I'm only 45 now)? Not at all ... it's what she wanted, she's a fantastic Mum and, in all honesty, she was never going to travel the world or immerse herself in a high flying career - who am I or anyone else to judge? I'm proud of them both for being their own people and doing well what they each wanted to do ... and I love, love, love everything about being a grandparent

Mouse - lovely for your daughters to have kids so close in age, and to become Mums at nearly the same time. My kids love playing with their cousins. Friends you know will always be around !

I bet you're thrilled to be a Granny x2 !

Mumsnet is excellent and certainly not just for youngsters.

But do be aware that discussions are not littered with "hugz and huns". People are direct - especially in the MN version of AIBU - so it is not recommended for those who easily take Umbrage.

I love being a Grandmother, so nice when the children get on your nerves they can go home to their Parents!!! I quite like forums, well some of them, but I had never thought of going on mumsnet, always assumed it was for the youngesters, the reason I have joined granset, but perhaps I will have a peek now and see if i have been missing anything.

nanapippa...hoorah to that...my seven grandchildren - ranging from one to twenty two are an absolute JOY!

Being a grandmother is a priveledge in my opinion. Don't understand grandparents who don't want to be involved. It's part of life's rich progression and such fun. We are so lucky.....

I was 57 before I became a granny. Good age, not long till I retired and was able to help with 2nd even though they lived abroad. One of myfriends became a great granny about the time I became a granny. Any age is OK as long as the parents are happy.

This time last year the only things on my mind were my eldest daughters plans to marry in 2011 and my youngests daughters 21st the same year. Becoming a grandmother couldn't have been further from my mind. Yet here we are in 2011, no wedding but ED (eldest daugher) gave me my first grandchild, a boy, ten weeks ago and the youngest a grandaughter four weeks ago and just a couple of weeks before her 21st.

Am I happy?

You bet ya!

I was never one of those mothers who longed to become a grandparent. Instead, I hoped that my sons would do exciting things and embrace parenthood if and when they were good and ready. Which is how it has worked out. I absolutely adore my dgd but also love the pleasure that my DS and DDIL get from being parents. Win, win, I reckon! Oh, and absolutely NO Horlicks in this house. I prefer something rather more "spiritual"!

I'm sure Gransnet Towers will compile a list of frequently used initials and their meanings, as they have done for those of us who've come over to visit from Mumsnet.
But I guess they haven't done so yet partly as it's down to the Gransnet members what comes up eg. the great one above GIW - Gran In Waiting !

superdupergran, good idea, in fact that's what I've already done on another thread, I've put Gran in Waiting as GIW

Nono, I asked this very question on another thread and was enlightened by a helpful gran. However, the more threads I read, the more initials turn up. Could I ask on behalf of all those new to forums, including myself, that the first time things are written in full with the initials following and thereafter initials can be used?

Nono, YANBU = You are not being unreasonable

YADNU = You are definitely not being unreasonable

DC = Dear/darling children.

It's another country and has another language. It's easy to pick it up, honest.

Nono, I quite agree, I've not spoken 'forum' before either, and I'm a bit confused, but then I'm always confused By the way, I don't do 'text speak' either, I'm too worried about shortend words ending up looking like a rude word or two!

Help - I need an interpreter!
I have only just joined and have never spoken 'Forum' before and I don't know what you are talking about!
Please could someone tell me what these mean:
YADNBU, DCs (they were duvet covers in my childhood), DD, YANBU
- and any others I should know about?

I don't know slinky
If I were a gambling woman I'd say it was odds on, especially with your youngest.

I'm 61 and have two sons. One 43 (yes I was a teen mum) and one 35.

Both are in relationships, the younger has a long term partner the older has flitted from woman to woman since he was 16.

I have pretty much given up on grandmother hood,but who knows.

Ohh, what a lovely thing to say Syntara - about being so proud, though sad. That will bring a tear to many eyes on here

I have two DC's and am already a bit of a granny in waiting ( hence AlterEgo name)... as like you I can't wait for the next generation ! I think being a granny will be great !

I've got quite a long way to go though as mine aren't teenagers quite yet.
Like another poster I hope they'll both do lots of other interesting things in their teens and twenties first ! I'm not that desperate !

Talking of knitting I have to say I'm very impressed with my Mum's knitting since she became a granny - it took her ages to knit me a ballet cardigan when I was little, but now she's rattling off all sorts of knits with cabling and all sorts of fancy stitches and styles in the blink of an eye!

Is it something that you suddenly find you know how to do the minute you're told you're a granny ? LOL

So I guess I'm with the YANBU's. Though personally I'll be getting pretty broody for some lovely GC's in 20 years time !

Oh Rosiebee, how true! The little hand that trusts you to take him safely across the road. But watch out, you lot! My three grandsons are all now six foot plus, treat my house as their own, help themselves to booze and biscuits, bring their girlfriends to stay, and know that I'll always forgive them. That day a couple of years ago when, dark suited with hair cut short, they escorted me up the aisle at their grandfather's funeral was the saddest and proudest day of my life. Now I just can't wait for the next generation....

Nothing beats that moment when a little hand slips into yours, totally trusting you. Age isn't important. They bring the greatest joy without having to do anything. How much time you spend with them is up to you. You don't have to morph into being an 'on call' child minder. That's your choice. Ours have become a wonderful part of our lives but we still have our own lives to live and have have fun in. Open up to the idea and enjoy it. My husband was really wary until his grandson was put into his arms. Instant love!!

YADNBU [GRIN]

Easily old enough but am still waiting. My dog needs me, in the meantime.