Not to do childcare

Yes it’s incredible that her friend would ask such a thing, let alone put pressure on her. The childcare responsibilities are the parents.
Poor woman she could be minding the child for 5 years, let alone any siblings!
Time to ditch this ‘friend’, I think the friendship has run its course.

The childcare issue raises many opinions. Some do, some don’t, and some will some wont. We are all individuals with our own hopes and dreams, no matter how old.
For those of us who do do childcare, life is full of up and downs. We do 3-4 days of childcare for a 2 two old and the school run for an older sibling. We have done childcare for the past five years.
On the one hand, we love it. Watching our precious grandchildren take their first steps, learn to read, develop a friendship net work, running, jumping for joy in the sunshine as they play with bubbles. Picnics on the lawn, singing and dancing, trips on the bus or train are all exciting and it’s great to be involved in it all. Cuddles and kisses from small people, their imagination, enthusiasm, energy and laughter are beyond price. The bond is special. We would do it all again in a heartbeat and wouldn’t have it any other way. But there is a downside.
In our mid sixties, we have very little free time to do other things. No spontaneous weekends away as our week begin at 8am on Monday with nine hour days and no official breaks till Thursday.
Holidays must be planned around school holidays
The unpredictability of the parents working hours limits our evening social life. After a day knee deep in paint and plasticine, dirty nappies and tantrums, a late finish means a hastily cooked and gobbled meal and a rush to catch the film, only to doze off halfway through on the superb reclining seats our cinema offers.
Our house is full of child friendly objects such as stair gates and fire guards
Ours is a world of soft play and child friendly activities.
Our house is constantly under a sea of toys and noise on childcare days. The theme tune of Peppa pig goes round and round our heads on a loop. To us are the joys of nappies and potty training.
The endless trudge of school delivery and collection in all weathers when we would rather have that extra cup of coffee in bed with the news on the radio.
On call for emergencies such as school closures, sickness, pickups and drop offs.
(And something that dawned on me the other day. While my OH and I do the daily grind of childcare, the other grandparents come and go at leisure dispensing excitement and fun. We do the discipline and hard work, they get the fun filled two hours).
So, it’s not an easy decision to make either way. But it does need a great deal of thought.

I haven't read the thread but it reminded me of when I was young and a good friend at that time, involved in a new relationship and wanting to spend uninterrupted time with her new man, would drop her children off with me at short notice and on two occasions that I can recall - when the four year old was ill!

I think finding help with looking after children must be a perennial problem, and there will always be someone looking for another someone to take care of their children.

Just read the thread on Mumsnet ! it isn't her grandchild , it is her friends DD who has the problem , she needs to drop said friend .

OK seen it now.
The sticking point for me is that it is not her own grandchild, so yes, taking a liberty!
That said, my SIL who is another DD’s godmother did in fact offer help and does one day a week by her own arrangement.
Whatever it has to be offered , not demanded.

Goodness me what a liberty. A lot of people,I feel, would have felt obligated but good on the grandparent for saying no.

depend on your age , I had 1st grandson from 4 months , on and off , his Mum was poorly and sad , he and I have a great bond . His Brother I didn't have till Primary school , it was 4 years between them , another 4 years and Sweet little granddaughter arrived , but I was too old . She comes for 30 mins at a time now , but that is long enough for both of us , she is 6 going on 60 !

Good grief Teetime
To be fair I have not read the article so I may be doing people a disservice. I was still working when DGS1 was born but retired shortly after and was happy to help out once a week.
As for looking after a baby for more than an hour how on earth do you justify that?

I think she should stand her ground she will only resent it if she gives in- the very idea of looking after a five month old baby for more than an hour fills me with horror!

I saw this on the other site yesterday, this morning I read the last couple of pages. Brilliant to see so many young mothers in full support of the OP.