Seeing grandchild too often

Does your daughter ever return the compliment, that is, does she invite you and your husband to her home for a meal, an evening together, a chat?
It sounds as though she is taking you absolutely for granted, somewhere to go and offload her child because she doesn't want to be alone with her, or cook their evening meal.
You have to make it clear to her this is not acceptable and suggest she comes, say, a maximum of twice a week. The fact you are working is enough, also the fact that when she doesn't have her child you don't see her.
Most importantly, she must learn to take responsibility for her child.

Hetty, I agree. There are definitely times when I long for a bit of Me Time, but I’d never hurt my daughters feelings, I always think, that one day she’ll manage to get some order in her life, and then I’ll miss them!

I think I'd say to her that if she is there before you, there is so and so in the fridge and you would appreciate if she at least started to cook it for you, if she was expecting to stay or next time she went shopping, could she buy a couple of items ,or even a ready meal for you all to share and then a couple of times at least, once you have eaten your meal, say that you have had a really busy, stressful day and you are going to have a bath and then an early night and do it!

Callistemon is right your bedtime is much too late for a 5 year old. Her school work may be being affected. I've seen tired 5 year olds fall asleep during story time. Could you suggest that you (or your DH) would be prepared to go round to her house and help out with bath time?. She may be keeping the child out because she makes a fuss at bedtime and its easy to do if she is exhausted

Taking for granted has crossed my mind too, eazybee. I wouldn't put up with it but I wouldn't have to because my kids know that already and wouldn't try it on. I think there's a bit of respect missing from bookwormnanny's daughter.

Yes I agree bookwormnanny as your daughter does not come round when there are other options it seems like you are being used as a restaurant and baby sitting service. I would be quite honest with her and say that you are finding it too much after being at work all day. Suggest she reduce the number of days she comes to you, doing it gradually will reduce dependence. I agree its late for a five year old to be up.

I know what you mean. The minute something starts where you feel a bit uncomfortable with it, you start to panic and worry about long it will last. On the face of it, it’s lovely that you see your GD regularly, but I can see why you would worry. You don’t say when this all started, how long it’s been already. I’m inclined to say just ride along for now, because before you know it, it will have changed, you’ll look back and think ‘that wasn’t long’. Oh the joy of hindsight! Your daughter is already happy not to come round when your GD is seeing her father, so that’s a good sign. Hope it all works out for you.

She sounds like she is lonely and overwhelmed and returning to her safe space to be mothered. Maybe agree two evenings a week with her. Be honest about why. Keep the safe space, do the mothering but leave room for your needs too.

I hold the opposite opinion of most here! You shouldn't need to worry about hurting her feelings, she needs to consider yours!

You obviously have a good relationship with both daughter and grandchild, since they are both so comfortable with you. Just sit down and have an honest chat; that she's spending too much time at your home and not hers.

It sound like she is avoiding reality of being a single mum, and needs to settle into a routine at her house with her daughter.

The change doesn't need to be drastic, but perhaps let her know you and your husband look forward to quiet time with each other at least a few days a week.

I'm with CanadianGran. Your DD is taking advantage of you and it's time for a calm chat. Find out why she feels she needs to come round so often. Ask her if she can help cook or provide food. Tell her you'd like some quiet evenings with your husband and a book - and possibly watching one of your own tv programmes. What does she do while you're cooking? does she talk to you or your OH?

She might flounce, but she'll be back again.

I think it’s a bit much, when you come home from work after a stressful workload you just want to relax with your husband and like you said read a book watch tv etc, I think your daughter is out of order expecting you to serve her dinner etc, while I’m sure you love to see them you don’t want it all the time, it’s not fair on you or your husband , I think you need to explain this to your daughter good luck

I would just tell her that you cannot cope with having her round every evening. Kindly but firmly. If she takes a huff and cuts you out, that suggests there were problems with the relationship already and she was just taking advantage of you.

Yes, it is a bit much - but I'd be diplomatic (sneaky really) to reduce it.

My kids have relied on me for babysitting, extended returns to live here, thoughtlessly hurling me into the default doormat (chief cook and bottle washer) role, etc. They still have all their post and parcels delivered here too.

No, I wouldn't let anyone else take advantage like that. The big difference is that I love them all unconditionally - and I want them to be certain of that.

I have the odd grumble, demand some alone time, make myself unavailable now and then - but miss them so much when they're not around!

I think it must be very tiring if someone visits you every evening and you can't really relax and watch what you want on the telly. Your daughter must feel like your home is her second home, but it is a bit selfish of her. She needs to realise that you have a life of your own.

My dear friend died in March and left three sons, 12, 16 and 18 years old. The youngest two are at her mum's most nights (she is also my friend.) She loves having them there, but they tend to wait until later and ask her all sorts of questions and she feels as though she is half asleep. She lives in the granny flat. She still welcomes them though and realises what a loss they have had. But it is very tiring for her. God knows what the boys would do without her. Life's a bitch at times.

Vinasol I think that those young boys really need their grandmother right now. Perhaps she could have a lie in in the mornings so that she can recover for being up a bit late the night before.

I had a bad night last night because I didn't sleep too well - getting up to often and dreaming a lot. In the end I didn't get up until 10.30 - it's not that important what time you get up.

Hetty58. How does being a doormat and prepared to skivvy for your children prove to your children that you love them unconditionally.

I had parents who loved me unconditionally, throughout a childhood dogged by illness, long hospital stays, when my parents could not visit regularly and other problems. The one sure foundation to my childhood that enabled me to get through all kinds of vicissitudes was the knowledge that no matter what happened to me, no matter what I did, my parents love for me was unconditional.

As with my parents I love my children unconditionally and they know that no matter what they do, we will always be there for them, but I have been a parent that has encouraged my children to stand on their own feet, to face up to the consequences of their actions, and when they were in their bouncing stage; bouncing between them living at home and away, they were expected to contribute to their keep if earning, manage their own laundry and clean their own rooms. We have been unable to provide much in the childcare line because we live 200 miles away, but in any emergency they know we will be there - and have been on a number of occasions. They know we will not fail them, but equally they know we expect them to stand on their own two feet and act like adults in most circumstances.

Skivvying is not a necessity for unconditional love.

Very true M0nica - and I have been too soft in the past, that's for sure. Everyone has different circumstances, though. Their father died when they were young and I overcompensated by being too lenient with them.

My own mother never hid her dislike, disappointment and disapproval - so I decided, from an early age, that I'd be a complete opposite. Like many teachers, I was excellent at my job and fairly useless with my own kids. At least they seem to have turned out OK!

What better sign that you did an excellent job with your children, than having your children turn out well, especially when you had to do this on your own.

Both my mother and my DDiL lost their fathers when they were very young and I know what a hard job it was for both my grandmother and DDiL's mother to bring up children on their own. - and what a good job they made of it.

You have much to congratulate yourself on.